The Keilor women’s football side was on a journey into the unknown heading into the Western Region and Essendon District Women’s Football season.
The Blues would be a new side in a new competition, and coach Emma Kerry didn’t know what to expect – how many teams there would be in the league, nor how many players she would have at her club.
“I’ve been pleasantly surprised,” she said.
The Blues have won their first six games and, along with the Sunbury Lions, are the competition’s clear front runners.
In their most recent game, on Sunday against Craigieburn, the Blues notched up a massive 35.5 (215)-0.1 (1) win.
Such has been the success of the Blues, they’ve had to start turning people away.
Kerry said they had a squad of 29 players and have had to say “no” to at least 15 others wanting to play. She said there had been a mixture of players stepping on to the field for them.
“A lot of the girls have come from basketball,” she said. “They’ve got the netball and basketball athletic ability and mind set. About 90 per cent of the players haven’t played before.
“We’ve also got five or six players that have played under-18s together in the last few years.”
There are experienced players in the squad.
Robyn Foster, who played for the Eastern Devils, played her first game for the Blues and career 150th in round six. It was her first game back from a serious knee injury.
Kerry said some of the players had been familiar faces around the club for a number of years through families ties.
“The Wright girls, Gemma and Sarah, are natural athletes and would exceed in any sport,” she said.
“Their dad used to coach the men’s senior side.
“Tanay Barbuto and Brooke Todero are gifted footballers who can kick goals. They grew up at Keilor and have been kicking the football for a number of years.
“Jill McBain is one of the more experienced players.”
Kerry said the Blues were looking forward to the challenge of playing some of the other teams in the next few weeks.
“It’s in their nature that they don’t want to be beaten,” she said.
“They’ve really put in work outside the two sessions a week. We started with just basic skills and now we’re putting in a game plan.
“We’re looking forward to playing Manor Lakes and Sunbury – the girls love a challenge.”
