Tara Murray
The NAB League Girls competition is seeing a wider spread of contributors as the league continues to develop according to Western Jets coach Robbie Chancellor.
Chancellor, who is in his second year as coach of the Jets, said they were starting to see a number of changes, which reflect where the game is going.
“We’re seeing the strength of the lower ages in terms of players and building depth,” he said.
“We’re not relying on one or two players. There’s now seven or eight girls that can shift the momentum.”
Chancellor said within his own team there’s the stars like Charlotte Baskaran and Montana Ham, who continue to star as they set their sights on being drafted.
Baskaran and Ham were the standouts in the Jets’ first win of the season against the Northern Knights.
He said the like of Trinity Skenderis, Paige Trajkovski, and 15-year-old Lou-Lou Field were some of the younger ones to impress so far.
Chancellor said they were seeing the spread of contributors, in both the NAB League games and the future games.
The future games involve those players who aren’t playing in the main match, to give everyone the chance to play each week.
“With big squads you are normally playing a lot of the same girls, with futures games, you’re pretty much playing everyone on the same day.
“What we’re seeing is that the young crop is far more advanced than previous years, it’s a reflection of the depth of the competition.”
Chancellor was thrilled with the side after that chalked up their first win.
With a young side with only three or four top age players, the Jets beat the Knights, 5.8 (38)- 3.5 (23). The second quarter would be the difference, with the Jets kicking four goals to set up the wind.
Chancellor said the playing group had really responded after the previous week.
“They played some pretty good footy on the weekend and I’m pretty excited for the next few weeks.”
Chancellor said the side was starting to play a bit more of the game style they wanted to focus on, a fast game with lots of handballs and the girls taking it on.
He said that style was a reflection of their strengths and the direction the female game is going.
The Jets are set to play the Greater Western Victoria Rebels on Saturday in Ballarat, after deadline.
It’s a busy time for Chancellor with the boys’ side also returning. Chancellor said he was thrilled with how they had returned after the break.
“It was really pleasing to see them come back in good shape.
For a wrap up of the weekend’s match, go to www.starweekly.com.au.
