Harper Sercombe
Point Cook won its season-defining clash against Laverton in the Western Region Football League women’s division 2.
The Bulldogs, now sitting in fourth spot, were nine point victors against the Magpies who failed to register a goal, scoring only eight points.
The Magpies lived to rue their early chances, scoring three points to nothing in the first term, before the Bulldogs managed to work themselves into the game, having a five point lead at the main break.
The Bulldogs were eventual victors 2.5 (17)-0.8 (8), with goals coming to Erin Robinson and Emily Laidlaw, adding to her tally of 24 goals for the season.
Finals is a long way from just weeks before the season started, when it didn’t seem likely that Point Cook would have a team.
Having women’s team did not seem likely only a few weeks out from the start of the season for the Bulldogs.
However, with two weeks to go in the season the Bulldogs are making a strong push for finals.
Speaking before the game, coach Lisa Said said the Laverton game was one the team was looking forward to.
“It’s a game that we’re very hungry for, we’ve been training very hard and putting in a lot of time and effort towards,” she said.
“It depends on the day, it depends on what side shows up and who wants it more, it’s unpredictable sometimes.
“A lot of players have come back from injury so we’re confident we have a strong side.”
Friday night games are something the Bulldogs have had to get used to with nine of their 14 games being played in the time slot. Although, Said said fatigue can get the better of players.
“It’s been something that we’ve gotten used to, the Friday night,” she said.
“It is a little bit harder due to the fact that players have been at work all day.
“It’s important to get them into the right headspace and pumped up, ready to go.”
Said said not knowing if they were going to get a side together made the start of the season really tough.
“There was no coach, not many players, it just was not looking good at all, unfortunately we didn’t have pre-season training,” she said.
“I jumped on board and saw potential in these young women, these girls did rise and we did work hard.
“This time next year, we will be a lot better, stronger, and dominating sides, we’ve had to play catch up a fair bit.
“We’ve got a lot of first time players in our squad that have never played footy before. But we rose to the challenge, when you’re thrown in the water you either sink or swim.”
In other results, Wyndhamvale lost a thriller to Spotswood and Caroline Springs beat North Sunshine.
