It’s a season of development for Wyndhamvale in the Western Football League women’s competition.
With a young, new look side, the Falcons knew that things would look different on the field this year.
Coach Craig Prior said there were some really encouraging signs coming from the group.
“We have a young, developing side,” he said. “A lot of the girls have never played before.
“We have seven or eight girls who are new to footy. They are getting better and improving as we go along.
“We’ve also had a couple of players come back.”
Prior, who last coached the side in 2023, said there weren’t too many players left from when he last coached.
“The average age would be 21-22,” he said. “There are a lot of players who are 18, 19, 20 so we are very young.
“We’re a development side, that is for sure.”
Not helping the Falcons cause is the loss of Rachael Burton for the rest of the season with a serious knee injury.
Prior said Burton, who is the assistant coach, has really stepped up in that role when not out on the field.
“She is thriving as an assistant coach,” he said. “She is heading down the coaching pathways and will make a fantastic coach.
“She’s come back from VFL [Victorian Football League] standards and she wants to use what she learned and the girls are taking it all in.
“It’s really good. A different set of eyes.”
Prior said they had seen the work they had put in was paying off.
He highlighted their first loss to Caroline Springs which was 137 points before facing them four rounds late and losing by 96.
“There was massive improvement in four rounds,” he said. “We are heading in the right direction.
“We’re still a bit off competing against the top sides, but we are getting there. They are looking to learn and take on board what we are saying.
“We’ve had great numbers on the track.”
Improvement will remain the focus for the Falcons for the rest of the season.
Prior said while they set some goals internally they hadn’t put any expectations on the group.
“The scoreboard will eventually turn around,” he said. “We have to keep working hard.”
The Falcons faced Point Cook Centrals on Saturday and lost a thriller.
It was tough going with the Sharks winning, 2.6 (18)-2.5 (17).
Zoe Hasenrader, Emily Kalos and Angel Noone were named the Falcons best.
In other matches, Werribee Centrals were way too strong for the Suns.
