WOORINEN’S women have started off the season with a mammoth victory against North Bendigo over the weekend, with two young players claiming big bags of goals.
The Tigers defeated North Bendigo 20.10 (130) to 3.2 (20), with young forwards Samantha Johnson and Brydi Lewis kicking nine and seven goals respectively.
Skipper Tenay Fellows and Freda Wosomo were the other two goal scorers, finishing the game with two goals each.
The team’s coach Katelyn Hazlett was named best on ground for another display of her tough, ball-winning ability.
Speaking to The Guardian, Hazlett was full of praise for the entire squad.
“The score is really a testament to the girls,” she said.
“Although it’s amazing to put such a score on the board, but just seeing how well our girls played the game and their ability to move the ball was really good.
“Obviously with it being the first game of the season, you just never really know how things are going to go.
“Both Sammy and Brydie are girls who have come through the youth set-up in the last few years.
“This is sort of their first full season as part of the women’s team and they just worked beautifully with each other and the rest of the team.
“They were leading up all game and were doing all the right things which was fantastic.”
Young gun Sophie McClelland was another of the Tigers’ better performers as was Emma Peacock, who performed well in the ruck, while Sheridan Gallagher’s intercept and run from the wing provided the side with drive.
Hazlett said that the opportunity to bring girls up from the youth girls had strengthened the already strong side.
“I think we’re currently building some really good foundations,” she said.
“It’s exciting to continue building from that for the rest of the season.
“We were able to bring a few of the youth girls up into the team, so it was nice to have a few new faces in the team.”
And those fresh faces will come face-to-face with a familiar foe this weekend, as the Tigers take on Castlemaine, their opponents from last year’s grand final, on Sunday.
Hazlett said she and her side were “not putting too much pressure on (themselves) as of yet”.
“We’re on the road down to Castlemaine this coming weekend,” she said.
“I think the girls are all pretty excited, but there’s still some nerves.
“It’s a whole different ball-game, but we’re hoping to go into the game and see where we are at.”
Woorinen’s youth girls were also in action over the weekend, taking on Strathfieldsaye away from home.
After a slow start, the young Tigers fought their way back into the match, but the Storm were to good, running away with a 69-point win.
Carly Shepherd and Emilie Ward were the team’s two goal scorers.
