Tara Murray
Footscray’s next generation is getting their opportunity in the Hockey Victoria women’s premier league this season.
After a number of retirements during the off season, the Bulldogs decided to bring through some players that have come through their pathways.
Bulldogs coach Alex Shirley said it was exciting to see some of the younger players get their opportunity.
“We are developing a lot of young kids,” he said. “We’ve had a fair chance with a lot of the older players retiring.
“This year we’re really focusing on developing some of the juniors that are in the squad while still trying to maintain our competitiveness.
“The results so far have been solid.”
Shirley said that they’d already had six debutants this season which had been really good. He said many had been in their second and third sides in recent years and were keen for the opportunity.
As with all new sides, Shirley knows that it will take some time.
“We’re still learning a lot as a group,” he said. “It’s a real building year this year and it’s about moving the club forward for the future.
“We’re constantly playing with more than half of our players with 10 or less premier league games.
“The team is coming together and becoming more consistent as we go along.”
On Saturday, the Bulldogs faced Mentone in their round six match. Mentone came away with a 1-0 win.
“It was really tough,” Shirley said. “We were really competitive and we had two of our more experienced players out.
“We had an injury to one of our other experienced players as well.”
The Bulldogs have a big week coming up with two matches in the space of four days.
The Bulldogs face Camberwell on Thursday night before playing against Powerhouse and St Kilda on Sunday.
Shirley said they would be a couple of good tests for their side and they would have to look to manage their squad with the short term around.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs men’s premier league side had a tough week with back-to-back losses.
On Thursday night, the Bulldogs lost to Camberwell, 4-2. Jayden Schram and Oscar Allan were the goal scorers for the Bulldogs.
On Saturday, the Bulldogs lost to Toorak East Malvern 1-0.
The Bulldogs sit in ninth spot.
Altona continued its good start to the men’s premier league season continued with a big win against Essendon on Saturday.
The Seagulls claimed the win 8-2 with six different goal scorers.
