Once, twice, three times for ladies
Northern Beaches and the Lismore Swans met earlier this year in the Festival of Football. Photo: Green Shoots Marketing
FOR the first time this season there will be three women’s matches played on the one day.
When the two clubs without women’s teams, Casino Lions and Nambucca Valley, face each other in the seniors it means the six clubs with teams a women’s team all get to play on the one day.
The Lismore Swans face their longest road trip yet when they travel to Woolgoolga to play against last year’s grand finalist Northern Beaches.
The Swans suffered their first loss of the season last week and are keen to bounce back in what they see as a challenging match against a strong opponent.
“Yes we had a loss last week but you expect to have a couple of losses through the season. As long as the girls learn from the mistakes we made last week then try to turn it around,” Lismore Swans coach Ken McPherson said.
“We’re looking forward to a competitive match. It’s going to be a tough challenge against Northern Beaches because they’re a quality side as well.”
McPherson added the Swans will be travelling light on for numbers this weekend but he explained it should only be a short term issue.
“We’ve got a few girls that are out injured after last week’s game against the Breakers, a broken nose and a couple of concussions. With the concussion rules those girls aren’t allowed to play this week,” he explained.
“Hopefully we might be able to talk a couple of new girls into playing for us before Saturday.”
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Reigning AFL North Coast Best & Fairest winner Cassidy Ronalds has produced a strong start to the 2021 season for the Coffs Breakers. Photo: Green Shoots Marketing
GRAFTON will face reigning premier the Coffs Breakers with a hidden weapon on their side – word of mouth.
Tigers coach Warren Bagnall said his team isn’t just improving on the field each week but off it as well.
“We’re starting to get an extra one or two players joining us each week,” Bagnall said.
“Word is getting around about the team and a few are seeing how much fun the girls are having and they’re thinking they want to try it as well.”
Sawtell/Toormina will be looking for its first win of the season when the Saints travel to Port Macquarie on Saturday. Photo: Green Shoots Marketing
SAWTELL/TOORMINA’S women’s team will be practically starting its season all over again when it travels to Port Macquarie on Saturday.
The Saints lost to the Coffs Breakers in round one but haven’t played a game of football since. Two byes and a wash out against Northern Beaches means the encounter against the Magpies will be the first match this team has played since April 24.
Coach Bec Minichilli said her squad of “16 or 17 players” is a good mix of experienced players and new starters. A similar to profile to their upcoming opponent.
“I think we’ve got probably 60:40 in terms of experienced players and some really new players,” Minichilli said.
“We’ve got a few coming back who haven’t played for a couple of years.
“I’d say in each third of the ground we’ve got a couple of players with experience and a couple of brand newies who haven’t played before who are still learning the rules and what you can and can’t do but the experienced players are there to help them out.”
The good news for the Saints is the slow start means the team will play in nine of the remaining twelve match days leading up to the finals.
ROUND 5 FIXTURES
NORTHERN BEACHES vs LISMORE SWANS at Centennial Oval, Woolgoolga
(1.20pm – Women; 2.50pm – Seniors)
GRAFTON vs COFFS BREAKERS at Ellem Oval, Grafton
(10am – Under-17s; 11.50am – Women; 1.20pm – Reserves; 2.50pm – Seniors)
CASINO LIONS vs NAMBUCCA VALLEY at Queen Elizabeth Park, Casino
(2.50pm – Seniors)
PORT MACQUARIE vs SAWTELL/TOORMINA
(11.50am – Women; 1.20pm – Reserves; 2.50pm – Seniors)
Note: Sawtell/Toormina’s under-17s are playing at Tamworth at 11am.
