2020 Season Report

W38A Season Report

In short, no pun intended Val/Mez we played 12 games, scored 24, 18 against and finished 4^th.

Planning a fourth run attack had there been finals. We would have dominated with Rachel’s awesome flexibility.

We welcomed to this special team Sarah, Suse, Christine, and also welcomed backed Kezza, who had to save a penalty first game to secure her position in the team. Challenge accepted, saved it and the spot was hers.

All in all a good season was had. Pre-season training was intense, the fitness levels were at their peak like no other year. The early morning runs along the beach, hitting the sand hills, gym sessions 3 times a week, we looked the goods. And the 10 minute pre game wee relief.

But then Covid-19 hit, and all that hard work in off season disappeared. The bloody bats, cooked in peanut oil as opposed of vegetable oil and it ruined the competition in terms of a short season and no finals opportunities to play, and most importantly, no damn social activities.

Then we get the Injuries – unfortunately we lost both Erin and Deb in the one game early into season and never to return. Definitely a big blow, but as per normal, you ladies stepped it up. Speaking of stepping up, Nicky, who thought she’d retire at the end of last season and play Nanny on Sundays, was called back out of retirement to help her sisters. Harmsy on the other hand, wasn’t convinced, she ran up north so as not to be tempted to return.

Highlights:

Honestly there were plenty.

Was a good year had, training sessions were good, when we had the numbers. It was a long season finishing late into the year, but also great to get a drink in together on that Sunday at the end.

My best game of year I think was the Georges River 4-1 win. All week it was “oh no, the rats”. Well, didn’t we show them sewer ladies from the mangroves? In soggy conditions, worse than some cow paddocks I’ve seen, you took it to them and played them off the park, scoring great goals and defending solid. I think ½ walked into that game already defeated, but when the whistle blew it got it out of your system and smashed ‘em off the pitch…… awesome to watch/coach.

Vals header in one game, from Bels cross, best toe-poke in the game lands pin point on one of the shortest in the game, loved it.

Another solid memory, the 1-1 draw with the 2’s. Every player decided to cop an injury of some sort, but fought to the end, a game I know they weren’t too happy to only get 1 point from.

The Newbies, Suse, Christine and Sarah all scoring goals this season, awesome effort. I’m told Sarah scored goal of the season by a long range shot (problem left footed) smashing every bone in the keepers hand. But I also think every goal we scored were great.

Penalties- don’t think we scored any, but will work on it next season. No names mentioned 

Battle of the biggest Gas baggers, well Bel and Moo had a challenger when Christine showed up this season, a lot of energy in that 3.

Nad’s island baby, Lani. The decisions leading up to her birth were incredible. We got to vote on her name, the colour of the pram, and then Nads brings her to training for another excuse to talk about something.. ain’t that right Moo/Bel.

The workers

Our backs – LB, Clare, Deb ,Mez and Captain Christie, always solid, an absolute pain in the ass for opposition, would have to say these ladies most days never left the field without a bruise on their bodies at some point. An awesome line up in front of Kerrie () keeping her feel safe throughout the year in goals.

The halves- Megs, Suse, Ava, Sarah, Moo & Bel, the running that was done was awesome. Created some great crosses which lead to finishing great team goals. And following up crosses to finish goals themselves. The centre was always strong, both defence and attack. Also the passing together was much better, and will improve again next season.

Forwards- RACHEL, Val, Nicky, Christine, Loz and briefly Ez , all scorers, such a pacey front line. Finished and created some great goals in the box. Some forwards smiled too much, and some couldn’t bend their knees but still scored, whatever works I guess. The finishing of team goals was great to watch.

Thanks for another entertaining year, always highs n lows with this team, but the highs always outweigh and the lows are always forgotten.

Still married, so there’s a high.

Special thanks to Micko, always appreciated from myself as too the girls. Would love to see EVERY player go again, and give it a red hot go next season.

Till next year, bye Rachel.