Tara Murray
The improvement has been massive for Romsey as it continues to search for its first win in the Riddell District Football League women’s competition.
The Redbacks are yet to taste victory in their one and half seasons so far, but coach Aaron Paterson said they are heading in the right direction.
“Compared to where we were last year, we have improved by a hell of a lot,” he said. “We wanted to be a lot more competitive in games.
“We’re still really young in experience and we’re now getting experience which is a good thing.
“It takes time and things will come good as we stick to the plan.”
Paterson said wins weren’t their only focus as they looked long term with the program.
He admits it can be difficult at times when they aren’t getting the results they would like.
“We don’t focus on winning, but we would like to have the chance to win.
“They are still enjoying it and the wins will come if we keep doing the right things and putting them into place.”
Paterson said they were doing a lot of high level drills at training but it was now about putting them into practice in games.
He said they would hopefully add a couple of A-grade talent next season, which he believes will put them in good stead.
“We have a good core group that is playing together,” he said. “We need to add a couple of A-graders and we will be a lot more competitive. We are confident in the group we have.”
Paterson said he had been impressed by the development of their playing group.
“He said Elise Putyra had been outstanding in the ruck,.
“She is a superstar and will continue to be one of the dominant rucks in the league for a long time.
“She is still raw with her development. She takes everything on.”
He said Liz Worthington dominates in the middle and has a knack of not losing a contest and has taken a big leap this year.
Amelia Hodgson and Jemma Wilkins have joined the club mid season and despite being some of the youngest players in the competition are among the Redbacks best most weeks.
The Redbacks have had the last three weeks off.
They had a forfeit, then a bye and then there were no games on the King’s Birthday.
Paterson said the forfeit was the result of the scheduling with many in their side also having other sporting commitments. He would have missed the game due to playing at the same time.
He said they’ve used the break to do contested physical training something they normally don’t get a chance to do.
The Redbacks face Woodend-Hesket next week on Saturday evening.
