By Tara Murray
Sunbury Lions coach Phil Lithgow is thrilled with how his side has developed in this year’s Essendon District Football League Women’s premier season.
With nearly a 95 per cent turnover of players from the previous season, it was always going to be a challenge for the Lions this year.
Lithgow said the playing group had taken that on hand and were loving every minute of it.
“It’s been really good,” he said.
“We started off the season low on numbers, but we’ve had a good turnaround since.
“It’s been awesome and so inclusive.
“It’s been not so much about the wins, but focusing on enjoying every game.”
The Lions have three wins for the season and sit seventh.
Lithgow said the group had been improving every week.
“We’ve got something like 36 girls and that’s been handy with matches on Friday nights and Saturdays, as everyone had been preparing for Sunday matches.
“We’ve got good numbers on the track and the girls are so positive. The older ones are helping the new ones.”
Lithgow said they were also trying to improve the relationship with the under-18s to try and get those girls to come through in the future.
The Lions’ top under-18 side is on track for a third straight premiership.
Lithgow said they already had one eye one next season. “We are working hard and doing the best we can,” he said.
“We can almost look at the 2019 season with 2020 in mind.
“We want to get as much development in them.
“It’s a good environment and they’re enjoying their football.” The Lions had a bye on the weekend as part of the split round. Lithgow said it had come at a good time. The Lions have a mixed end to the season, which has two rounds remaining.
This week the Sunbury Lions face second placed Keilor, before finishing the season off with a very winnable match against Strathmore. The Sunbury Kangaroos, which also had a bye, face Craigieburn this week.
