By Lance Jenkinson
In assessing Point Cook’s run to promotion in the Football Victoria women’s state league 4 west, you are immediately drawn to the incredible feats of its front line.
How could you not be when you feast your eyes on the sumptuous 87 goals they scored in 15 games at a rate of 5.8 goals per game.
Jets coach Graham Moran had a slightly different viewpoint.
Moran felt like the Jets were built on rock solid defensive foundations first and foremost before the fun could start for the strikers.
He has a point too, considering the Jets conceded a measly eight goals for the season at a rate of 0.53 per game.
“When you can build on that sort of structure, it takes the pressure off the front three,” Moran said.
What is most impressive about Point Cook’s defensive numbers is that it was achieved with an inexperienced backline.
The central defensive pairing of captain Taylah Brown and Jasmine Zilic are supposed to be finding their feet in senior football.
Brown is a young skipper at 21 and Zilic is just 16.
“They formed a formidable duo for us,” Moran said.
“A fairly young combination to have in the centre of the defence but it worked.”
Brown was a fantastic leader on and off the field for Point Cook.
Not only did she take charge of the Jets senior team, but was always willing to share her knowledge with the juniors of the club.
She will leave a legacy of hard work from the 2019 season, but don’t expect the captain’s arm band to be taken away from her any time soon.
“It was her first year stepping up as captain,” Moran said. “She certainly set the example.”
Her ability to ignite forward moves for Point Cook from the back made her a damaging two-way player.
Point Cook had no shortage of finishers.
Fifteen different players scored goals, 11 players were multiple goalscorers and five players scored five or more on the season.
The lethal trio were Melissa Naumovska, the competition’s second leading goalscorer with 23 goals, Regina Mariel with 16 and Madison Filer with 15.
A huge mid-season addition for Point Cook was Sophie Plessa, who arrived from state league 1 club Hoppers Crossing.
Plessa provided seven goals and much-needed experience.
“She was more important than just scoring the goals,” Moran said. “She had a mature head, which was one factor we were missing.”
With Avondale the clear best team in the league this season, it was all about second spot for Point Cook.
The Jets all but secured their promotion position with a 3-0 win over Kyneton District on August 4.
“We knew early on that Avondale were one or two steps too quick and too skilful, so it was all about the second place,” Moran said.
Point Cook will feature in women’s state league 3 next season.
