Tara Murray
Keilor might sit atop the Essendon District Football League women’s premier division ladder, but it won’t start taking things easy.
The Blues have lost just one match so far and continued to show why they’re been consistently one of the best teams in the competition over a number of years.
Blues coach Brooke Surgeon said the gap between the top and bottom sides has closed this season.
We are pretty happy,” she said. “The competition is really close this season.
“It changes each week and anyone can beat anyone so we won’t be letting up.
“We’re still trying to develop and improve.”
Surgeon said with the majority of last year’s premiership side having returned, they knew getting off to a good start of the season.
She said they had managed to pick up a few handy recruits, which had strengthened the side.
“We picked up a few handy players.
“One from interstate, Brooke Kerrigan has been really influential for us through the midfield. We’re also picked up some handy small forwards.
“The VFL [Victorian Football League Women’s] girls are now returning for the back half of the season.”
Olivia Manfre, Lauren Caruso and Laura Wright played for the Blues in between their VFLW commitments, while former captain Kaitlyn O’Keefe returned for the Blues in their most recent match.
“They’re so reliable,” Surgeon said. “Not just in one role, we can play them in a number of different roles where we need them.”
The Blues have the weekend off, with a competition wide bye due to the long weekend.
Surgeon said it would have been nice to keep playing throughout, with the women’s competition having a couple of split rounds also.
“It has been so long and all the girls are warmed up,” she said. “Maybe one break would be enough.
“It would have been nice to push through and keep the momentum going as well.”
The Blues next week face Westmeadows in a top of the table clash.
Surgeon said they were looking forward to the top of the table clash.
“They are the only team to beat us so far this season,” she said.
“They have a lot of good players and a lot of depth.
“They’ll want to beat us as well. It’s a huge game.”
In other matches, Hillside faces Maribyrnong Park, while Oak Park will play Burnside Heights.
In the men’s premier division, Keilor is set to face Greenvale.
