By JARROD POTTER
ADDING a second VFL team to the Casey region, Cranbourne has earned the right to enter the newly formed VFL Women’s competition.
The VFL standard has replaced the former VWFL Premier Division, and while Cranbourne’s 2015 VWFL Division 1 premiership victory is fresh in the minds of many, coach Kris Smith is under no illusion that this year’s competition will be as fruitful for the young, developing list.
“We’re under no illusion that this won’t be hard work, we’ll have our bad days and good days and hopefully the good days outweigh the bad,” Smith said. “The average age is about at the 20 mark – for our list – we’re just a bunch of babies really and I’m a young coach still learning, so we’re just trying to see if we can get on a roll together.”
While the step up will be monumental – facing premiers Darebin on Sunday and runners-up Melbourne Uni in the first three weeks – Smith thinks the side will rise to the level, or at least be much better for the experience against strong opposition.
“I noticed last year when you play a team that’s not going that well, they can drag you down to that level and I really believe it goes the other way,” Smith said. “When we’re playing the better sides – more skilful and move with speed – they rise to that level and move up to meet them.
Ash Fennell will lead the side once again while Bianca Jakobsson (vice-captain), Tess McEvoy (deputy vice-captain), Ellie Keatch, Steph Binder and Sarah Mooney round out the VFL leadership group.
Joining the premiership winning group are former Berwick duo Courtney Clarkson and Shannon Barnes while Tess Butler (overseas), Alicia Heins (long term injury), Alice Barfoot (long term injury) are also set to join the Eagles 2016 campaign.
“Courtney Clarkson is the big one – played state footy a couple of years ago when she was in her absolute prime,” Smith said. “She’s working on her fitness and getting the touch back and she got in to the academy as a development player and is a handy inclusion.”
It marks an amazing turnaround for the region’s female football stocks after Berwick folded only two years ago, forcing Cranbourne to take on the extra players and move to Division 1 virtually on the eve of the season.
But with a flag in its back-pocket and a VFL team now at Casey Fields 2, Smith said the Eagles couldn’t be prouder of the decision.
“I know the club is incredibly proud,- absolutely rapt with what’s taken place over the last two years,” Smith said. “They had to stick their necks out in the beginning when Berwick went under – Cranbourne had to put a few dollars on the line and ask are we going to do this so it’s great to reward them by making the VFL.”
The Eagles will travel to Darebin for round one, to Seaford in round two before finally playing their maiden VFL Women’s home game on 17 April against Melbourne Uni.
With the new competition and the competition intensifying, Smith is unsure of how the side is placed but Cranbourne has done everything to get up for its VFL debut season.
“Everyone keeps asking me how we’re going to go – I’ve have no idea,” Smith said. We’ve prepared well and training hard ticked a lot of boxes, so we just need to get out and have a crack and see how we look.
“No better way than to start against the best of the best.
“We’ve got last year’s grand finalists in the first three weeks so we’ll get a fair indication of how we’re tracking – but we’re going to improve as the year goes for sure.”
If anyone is interested in joining Cranbourne Women’s Football Club – contact the club via its Facebook page “Cranbourne Youth Girls and Women’s Football Club” or cranbournefc@bigpond.com.
