VFL Cats gearing up, women shine
SEPTEMBER has arrived, with two qualifying finals down and two elimination finals to play out today.
Every team is aware they will be judged on what they showcase over the coming weeks.
Much work takes place during the season to even get yourself an opportunity to play finals, but from here on out, there are no second chances.
As we get ready for a couple of important weeks on the track, I’ve reviewed the seasons of our VFL and VFLW sides.
The VFL team finished 10th, with eight wins and ten losses.
We ranked 12th in attack and 10th for defence, which ultimately cost us a spot in the finals as we missed the top eight on percentage.
Looking at this from afar, you could say that it wasn’t a great season. But this doesn’t take into consideration the different challenges presented this year.
For most of the season less than half of the VFL was made up of AFLlisted players, especially through the midpoint of the year, where we only had a handful.
This lack of continuity makes it difficult for the coaching staff and players. As well, many of the AFLlisted players who played most of the year in the VFL, were first-year recruits. No less than 47 different players pulled on the VFL jumper in 2017, which is high, but even more staggering is that 23 of them made their debut.
So the emphasis was on their development, and coach Shane O’Bree was aware there would be some growing pains with such a young side.
Among the positives were the number of GFL players who got a crack at VFL. James Tsitas was the most consistent performer, and his reliability earned him the best and fairest, while the biggest improver was Ben Reid, who had a real impact in his first season and was runner-up.
There was a look to the future as well, with James Gow having a breakthrough season.
Gow has draft potential along with the consistent Tsitas, Reid and Tommy Atkins, who has put together a couple of impressive seasons at VFL level.
We have had success from our VFL campaign in the past and these guys do not need to look any further than the likes of Tom Ruggles and Tom Stewart, who have gone on to play AFL football.
The best win came against a strong Tigers side just weeks ago in Round 17 in the AFL curtain-raiser.
The standout moment from the season was Tommy Atkins’ game against the Pies just a fortnight ago, when he had 25 disposals and 13 clearances, kicked two goals and laid a remarkable 23 tackles.
In summary, coach Shane O’Bree said that the year had plenty of injuries, which presented opportunities and the kind of experience that would help establish a good future for our VFL and AFL footballers.
The VFL Women started off in November with up to 160 tryouts, who were narrowed down to a squad of 42.
At the start of the season, the expectation from coach Paul Hood was to “compete each week and sneak a few wins along the way, (and that) 7-7 for the year would be a great result”.
More than a quarter of the squad converted from other sports and so this is their first year playing AFL.
The top sides have had girls that have been playing footy for more than five years now and so with that in mind, the expectation rightfully should have been low.
I was able to see the development of the girls first-hand from helping the coaching ranks out on occasions, and the improvement throughout the year was immense.
This is a credit to Paul Hood and his coaching staff, who helped develop the women’s skills and fasttrack their knowledge. But just as much credit is due to the women themselves for putting in the hard yards and having an appetite to learn and improve.
The team finished a win shy of finals in fifth place, with nine victories and five losses. An incredible first season and a sign of things to come when we get a licence in the AFL.
Likewise, there is wonderful support in the community, with more than 500 pioneer members signed up.
The title of the year’s biggest improver could have gone to the whole team, but there were a couple of standouts in Renee Garing, from St Mary’s Netball, and Anna Teague, from the Geelong Supercats.
Renee brings some real energy to the game and worked tirelessly on improving her skills, which she did as the year went on. Anna comes from a basketball background, but learned quickly and read the game well by the end of the season.
Emily Ramsay is the next up-andcomer and she played well in the back half of the season.
The most consistent players throughout the season were ever reliable midfielders Lily Mithen and Cassie Blakeway, who finished first and second respectively in the best and fairest last weekend.
The novelty didn’t wear off throughout the season and so it was invaluable to the younger and inexperienced footballers that got to be a part of this.
But you have to be just as pleased for the girls that have played footy their whole life, such as Kate Darby and Alisha Habib, who bring so much energy to the game, including their goal celebrations, which were a standout. But just as much, they are genuinely good people. The women remind me exactly what football should be, fun.