Hillside continues to improve in the Essendon District Football League Women’s competition.
Fielding a women’s side for the first time, the Sharks have found it tough going against some of the more experienced sides, but continue to make inroads.
They have two wins after eight rounds and sit 11th on the ladder.
Sharks coach Justin Fairservice said he was thrilled with how the side was going.
He said heading into the season he was unsure whether they would get any wins on the board, so he was more than happy to have been able to sing the song twice.
“It’s not going too bad, we’re playing well,” he said. “We’re learning the game and improving every week. They’ve been some big blow-outs and we expected that the first 12 months.
“We’ve been able to keep everyone though. The girls are still upbeat and enjoying it.”
Fairservice said the whole playing group was making inroads. He said the likes of Cassandra Turrie, Samantha Stanley and Tarryn Healy had been some of the standouts this season.
Injuries haven’t helped the Sharks’ cause, as they finished with 15 players on the field in their most recent match against Westmeadows.
Fairservice said they had about 22 players and were still looking for more.
He said they were thrilled with the support they had received from the community who were willing to help out where needed.
“Without the Sugargum Hotel we probably wouldn’t have a side. They’ve helped pay for the uniforms and have been a massive support.”
This week the Sharks face Keilor on Sunday afternoon.
Fairservice said the focus of the second part of the season was to continue improving. He said they were hopeful a few players would return from injury.
“We just want to keep enjoying it and will continue to try new things.”
In other matches, Aberfeldie hosts Burnside Heights under lights on Friday night, Strathmore takes on Pascoe Vale, Craigieburn plays Roxburgh Park, Sunbury Lions will look to return to the winners’ list against Keilor Park and Sunbury Kangaroos take on Avondale Heights-Taylors Lakes.
Meanwhile, the competition will have an eight team finals series starting on the weekend of July 28. The grand final will be held on the weekend of August 18-19.
