Everything seemed to go quiet, even the swirling icy wind, in the dying minutes of the Senior Women’s dour struggle against community rivals Coburg at Brunswick Street Oval in their return meeting for the season.
Roys’ supporters held their breaths, marvelling at Lucy LJ Kerr’s last-gasp effort to redress the one-point deficit with an intelligent Alex Carey-like manoeuvre, only to see the 50-plus player/coach go unrewarded.
Supported all game by this vocal and loyal band of supporters, reinforced by a large contingent of Roys men, the women walked off the ground, somewhat frustrated. And very disappointed. But to their credit, and that of their equally disappointed supporters, uttered not one word in protest.
What would be the point? Everyone does their best, but sometimes one’s best just falls that bit short. In this instance, one point short.
Despite his disappointment, coach Nathan is remaining optimistic, saying that improvements are happening across the team with every game, and paying recognition to the advancements being made by individual players in all positions.
“Molly Tancred played a great game up forward,” said Nathan, “kicking a goal.
“Chloe Kodagoda played her best game yet, finding her feet in the Seniors in her third game back after a collarbone break.
“It was great having Sarah Lynas back, and the midfield played really well led by Sunday Brisbane, Gina Bennett and Robyn Randell who again kicked a goal.”
The Seniors’ herculean efforts were preceded by an extraordinary effort of their own by the Twos against an old rival whose game plan would not go astray in the wrestling ring. Nothing daunted, the girls focused on playing football, keeping Coburg to a respectably low score and, in the end, a pretty slim winning margin.
Liz Olney’s spectacular marking and overall game was up with her best, and rewarded with two majors for the day. Yvette Godby played a true captain’s game, and giving as good as she got Lilly Prowse-McKeown remained fearless down back, with Aspen Wagner again awesome and receiving coach Jason’s respect and recognition for another best-on-ground performance. Steph Amy, Elyse Campbell and Anna Morrow were others whose games received special mentions from the coach.
Self-deprecating as always, Jason admitted after the game his distress at not being able to get his charges over the line, but seemed to be convinced by the club’s unequivocal support, evidenced so strongly by reinforcements of the like of Billie Barton, Alice Batterton and Alex O’Grady who have so willingly stepped up to fill the bench and the void created by some really disastrous injuries across the season.
The league-wide bye next week will give the Roys women a much-deserved break. And time to catch their breaths in readiness to take up the cudgels again.
JG Gorilla
