By Lance Jenkinson
Manor Lakes Football Club is still open for business.
The Storm might have pulled their seniors and reserves teams out of the Western Region Football League open age men’s competitions, but they remain committed to their junior and women’s teams.
Women’s coach Nathan Smithwick is excited by what the rest of 2019 could mean for his team as they aim to defend their premiership.
“It’s unfortunate what’s happened to the men’s side, but as far as the juniors and women’s teams, it’s business as usual,” he said.
“It was a hard decision, but I think it was the right decision for the club to go forward.
“It’s obviously heartbreaking, but the club is not in a bad way.
“We’ll come back bigger and stronger, we’ll be fine.”
Manor Lakes has some work to do though if it wants to defend its women’s crown.
The Storm suffered their first ever loss in the WRFL women’s by a point against Caroline Springs at Town Centre Oval on Sunday.
Last year, Manor Lakes went through undefeated in the inaugural women’s season.
Smithwick knows the competition has improved and admits that it has been hard to get a gauge on his team because of the amount of byes and forfeits his team has faced in the opening half of the season.
“It’s a bit of a funny mood at the moment,” Smithwick said before the game against Caroline Springs.
“Everyone is a bit bored because we’ve only had three games in seven weeks and there was also a forfeit at the start of the year.
“We don’t have a break for the rest of the year now, so we’re just looking forward to getting into it, get some match fitness and get some confidence.”
Smithwick warned the rest of the league that Manor Lakes will get better.
He can see an insatiable appetite to improve and not settle for one premiership.
“There’s definitely that hunger,” he said.
“When teams score against us, they don’t like it at all and that’s player driven.
Smithwick claims to have the best two on-field leaders in the competition in Cara Dunshea and Lindsay Newton.
Dunshea, the captain, and Newton, have been driving forces with both their voice and actions on the track.
“I can’t go past them for leadership,” Smithwick said.
“In my opinion, they’re the two best leaders in the competition by a stretch.
“They’re both very fit, very competitive and they play hard, tough football.”
Kellee McIntosh, who is the team’s leading goalkicker with 27 goals, Alycia Bettels and Jess Smithwick are also in the leadership group.
One of the surprise packets for Manor Lakes has been defender-turned-forward Paras Mackenzie. “She’s been incredible in only her second year of football,” Smithwick said.
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