A big loss in round one was never going to dampen the spirits of the Hillside’s Essendon District Football League women’s side.
Taking to the field for the first time, the Sharks are mostly focused on building a strong program for the long term.
Sharks coach Justin Fairservice said he was thrilled with the effort put in Friday night against Burnside Heights.
The Bears, also playing in their first match, won 16.16 (112)-1.3 (9).
Brooke McKinley kicked seven goals for the Bears, with Bree Campey named best on ground.
“The group is really upbeat at the moment,” Fairservice said of his Sharks side. “I was proud of the women.
“We’ve got a few things to work on, but it’s a long process.”
Dearne Ellis, Lesley Garlick and Melissa Higgins were the best for the Sharks.
Fairservice has coached junior sides at the Sharks and his sons play at the club. He decided to taken on coaching the women’s side to help build for an exciting future.
He said many of the players had never previously played football and that the club was continuing to seek players.
“It’s a fantastic concept and I wanted to help out,” he said.
“We’ve got 22 women – it’s great to have the numbers to have a full team on the park. There’s a lot of inexperienced players … everyone is welcome to come play.”
Fairservice said Samantha Stanley, Loren Lamont, Fiona Pazsa and Brittany McIntyre were four players to keep an eye on.
He said that while the Sharks would love to get a few wins on the board this season, that wasn’t the main aim.
“It will be a learning season,” he said. “I’ve got no expectations – I just want the players to learn and enjoy the game and help build the side in the right way.”
In other matches, Avondale Heights-Taylors Lakes defeated Keilor Park 5.8 (38)-4.8 (32).
Avondale Heights and Taylors Lakes made a last-minute decision to field a combined women’s side.
Sunbury Kangaroos, Pascoe Vale and Westmeadows were the other winners at the weekend.
