Melton Centrals’ tough start to the season has continued in AFL Goldfields Women’s Football League.
Centrals have lost their first three games of the inaugural season and are struggling to match it with some of the more experienced and bigger sides.
The club has had a women’s side for a number of years, but coach Janelle Martin said this season had been a big reality check for the players.
Last season, Centrals finished runners-up in the Victorian Women’s Football League’s division 4 competition.
“We’ve gone from a development league into a division 1 competition,” Martin said.
“The girls are trying so hard, but it’s hard playing against sides like North Geelong Magpies, who have a lot of VFL players.
“We haven’t played against teams like that before.”
Not making it any easier for Centrals has been the rate of change around the club.
At least half the side is new, with many of those new to football, while several players had come out of retirement.
And they’re playing stocks have also been dealt blows through five season-ending injuries.
Martin said playing against experienced players had been tough for the new arrivals and they were hoping to recruit some experienced players.
“We’ve only scored three points this season so far,” she said. “It’s a good experience for the girls to play against experienced players, but it doesn’t do their confidence any good.”
On Saturday, they played early premiership favourite North Geelong for the second time this season.
The two teams played each other in the second round of grading.
North Geelong won the first game 150-0.
It was again a one-sided game on Saturday, but Centrals can take some positives out of the match, it considerably reduced the margin, with North Geelong winning 12.15 (87)-0.1 (1).
After three rounds, North Geelong is yet to concede a goal.
“We played really well and our pressure was unbelievable,” Martin said. “We didn’t lose by 150 points this time – so it’s a step forward.
“A couple of the new players enjoyed themselves, as well.”
Martin said Rachel Jackson, in her first season, had been a standout so far.
In division 2, Bacchus Marsh got its first win of the season, defeating Gisborne.
The Cobras kept the Bulldogs goalless for the first three quarters in the 5.6 (36)-2.7 (19) win.Madalyn Clarke and Brittany McIntyre kicked two goals each for the Cobras.
Elise Korteman, Abbey Bertram and Zhoe Clarke were named the Cobras’ best.
In the Riddell youth girls competition, Centrals had a 23-point win against Darley to keep their unbeaten start to the season. Emmerson Hitch was best on ground for a fourth straight week.
Bacchus Marsh lost to Gisborne Blue.
