Coburg’s women’s program will play three practice matches across March and early April to prepare for the 2022 SEWFL season.
Three double headers of seniors and reserves matches have been scheduled with the first hit out for the year against Old Haileybury for the seniors and Old Melbourne for the development team at Haileybury College on March 19.
Coburg takes on the Geelong Amateurs at Queens Park Road on March 27 and then hosts the Warragul Industrials on April 3 at Jackson Reserve.
Senior coach Liam Cavanagh said that the entire program was looking forward to playing for the first time in 2022.
“Collectively I think everyone is pretty keen for the next month to fast-forward so we can sink our teeth into playing games and making the club proud,” he said.
“When you have your list finally assembled I think there is always a drive from the players to prove themselves and that they belong. The new girls of course can’t wait to show their skills and demonstrate their value, but the returning girls are also just as eager to set an example and show why they are so important to this club.”
Old Haileybury’s senior side played in the VAFA Division 1 last season while Geelong Amateurs senior side played in the AFL Barwon Division 1 competition. Warragul’s seniors played in Division 2 of the SEWFL last year.
Playing against established women’s teams will be important preparation for the season according to Cavanagh.
“I have a pretty simple approach to practice matches, essentially I think it’s better to lose and make mistakes in your practice matches so that you can iron out a few things that may have cost you in the first few rounds of the year,” he said.
“It’s important we play against an opposition that requires us to be at our best, so if we are off the pace it gets shown to us and if we play well we know it’s against quality opposition. I think the three clubs we are playing meet that criteria, all very strong women’s programs with regular and recent success in their respective leagues, so no doubt all three games will be challenging.”
The practice matches will also act as an opportunity for players to put their name forward for senior selection.
“Ultimately the 22 girls who can best apply themselves to the game plan will get rewarded through selection, so we want to see girls in seniors cementing their position and we want girls in development banging down the door,” Cavanagh said.
Saturday, March 19
Old Haileybury v Coburg at Haileybury College, seniors 3.30pm, reserves v Old Melbourne 1.40pm
Sunday, March 27
Geelong Amateurs v Coburg at Queens Park Rd, seniors 2.00pm, reserves 12.30pm
Sunday, April 3
Coburg v Warragul at Jackson Reserve, seniors 2.00pm, reserves 12.00pm
With the 2022 season rapidly approaching, you can join the Lions pride as a paid up member, click here for more: www.coburgfc.com/membership
