Sunbury Kangaroos faced their toughest test in the AFL Goldfields Women’s Football League season so far and passed it with flying colours.
The Kangaroos had won both their grading games and their first two games of the division 1 season quite easily.
But on Sunday, they didn’t have it all their own way against East Point.
The Kangaroos had a lot of the ball in their forward half in the first two quarters, but weren’t able to convert on the scoreboard.
East Point kicked the first two goals of the game.
The Kangaroos went up a level in the second half to open up a decent lead as rain started falling.
East Point came again and had its best period of football in the final quarter by continuing to attack and put the pressure back on the Kangaroos.
But it wasn’t enough, with the Kangaroos’ winning 5.11 (41)-5.2 (32).
Kyrstie Smith, Bailee Said and Tayla Behan were named the Kangaroos’ best.
Kangaroos playing coach Danni Green said it was good for the side to be challenged after having four easy wins.
“The pressure was on from the start from East Point, which we haven’t always had,” she said. “We had a lot more play in the first half, but East Point’s pressure didn’t let us get the goals.
“It took us a little time to get into the game and I’m really proud of the girls and how they stood up to that pressure and played our best football in the second half.”
After playing their best football in the third quarter, the senior players delighted Green with how they stepped up late when the pressure was on with East Point doing all the attacking.
The win was soured somewhat thanks to injuries to Jess Dominko (knee) and Brittany Mifsud (face). Both were taken to hospital.
With Dominko on the sidelines, it was left to Terena Burridge to step up and take the ruck role, earning praise from Green.
The win leaves the Kangaroos one of two teams undefeated in division 1. The other is their next opponent, North Geelong.
Green said it would be good to test for the Kangaroos against the best team in the competition.
She said her team, in its first season, had already exceeded expectations.
“We focus on what we can control and the scoreboard is a bonus,” she said.
“We’re ecstatic to be 5-0. What’s even better is we have a good group of girls, supporters and a good club.
“I’m sure we’ll have plenty more challenges to come and we’ll continue to enjoy them.”
