Tara Murray
New Keilor women’s coach Brooke Surgeon wants the club to continue to drive the standard in the Essendon District Football League.
Since their introduction, the Blues have had plenty of success, including two premierships and a further two grand finals.
Surgeon, who played for the club in its first year, was recently announced as the side’s new coach, taking over from Shannon McFerran.
Surgeon had been appointed the club’s girls under-18 coach for the 2020 season, but the season was cancelled due to the pandemic.
“It’s very exciting,” she said. “‘I played a few games for Keilor a few years back and we had a great supportive culture, a club that valued their people, so it was a club that I was always interested in being a part of again.
“I kept in touch with some people at the club over that time.”
Surgeon brings to the role an extensive playing and coaching background. She played VFLW, represented Vic Metro is a three-time premiership player and two-time league best and fairest winner.
She finished her playing days at the Blues, missing out on their first premiership due to injury, and quickly turned her attention to coaching.
She has been assistant coach with NAB League sides, the Northern Knights and Western Jets.
“I was ready for a new challenge,” she said.
“The assistant role is good, but I was really to implement my own game plan and plan my side.
“I have always been in leadership roles and I like passing on the knowledge I have picked up from different programs.”
Surgeon said she was keen to make sure that club was a stepping stone for players to progress into the higher ranks, like the VFLW and possibly AFLW.
“I want to get those players strong to make it easier for the transition into higher competitions,” she said.
“I’ll really focus on the timing and execution of skills and drive the standard at local football.
“I see the development with female football, that local football will be at the skill of what the VFL is now, and the VFL will be at the skill of AFL [now] as the standard continues to grow.
“I really want to play a tough attacking style of footy, first to the ball & no excuses.”
Surgeon said there was some pressure taking over a side which is coming off a premiership. The EDFL awarded premierships to the teams that were on top of the ladder, when the season came to an early end due to COVID-19.
The Blues pre-season will get underway on November 29. Surgeon said they were looking to get an under-18.5 side back up and going for next season and are currently looking for a coach.
