VU-ST Albans Spurs repeated the dose over Darebin Falcons in the Victorian Women’s Football League premier division grand final rematch to get their season off to the best possible start at Kings Park Reserve on Saturday.
The sides were vastly different from the ones that competed in last year’s decider, but the change in personnel did not hinder the Spurs, who fielded no fewer than seven debutantes in a 27-point win.
Spurs player-coach Debbie Lee told the Weekly it was pleasing to begin the changing of the guard with a positive result.
“To bring seven new faces into the team, I think that’s a pretty good effort to still take the four points,” she said.
“Of those seven, five are first timers to the club, so it was nice to see the girls step up.”
There was plenty of hype in the lead-up to the game with the two biggest clubs in women’s football going at it.
The VWFL set aside a stand-alone date to maximise crowd numbers and ABC radio broadcast its popular Coodabeen Champions show from the venue.
The action on the field matched the build-up.
“It was a competitive game,” Lee said.
“We always like playing Darebin. They’re well respected and have been a successful club.”
The Spurs were in command for most of the game.
Their only hairy moments came in the second term when the Falcons mounted a mini comeback.
“We lapsed in the second quarter,” Lee admitted.
“I would say that was due to fitness and we became a bit undisciplined.
“When you are tired and haven’t got that fitness, your mind slips and they converted two goals from us being undisciplined.
“We regrouped at half-time.”
Kaz Paxman asserted total control of the wheel in the second half.
She was the most damaging midfielder in the game.
“If we had taken stats on her, she would have racked up close to 40 possessions,” Lee said.
Lauren Senserrick was outstanding in a shutdown role at centre half-back and, combined with her drive out of defence, claimed the best on ground honours.
Kylie Nicolaci booted three goals – crucial in a low-scoring affair – and Lee added two.
Kara Donnellan excelled in a utility role and first gamer Jasmine Garner brushed aside her nerves to play an instrumental role back and forward.
The make-up of the Spurs might have taken on a fresh look but the team seems to be back to their winning ways.
“We’ve got some good signs,” Lee said.
“We’ve got to keep working on some things. The thing I like is we’ve got a base and we’ll continue to improve.”
VWFL SCOREBOARD
Premier division: VU-St Albans Spurs 8.8 (56) d Darebin Falcons 4.5 (29)