Tara Murray
Williamstown CYMS’ step into the unknown continues to be a successful one as it remains undefeated in the Victorian Amateur Football Association women’s premier B competition.
After winning the division 2 premiership last season, the CYs were promoted into premier B, the second top tier of women’s competition in the VAFA.
Coach Lawrence Henry said they were happy with the start.
“It’s been pretty good,” he said. “It’s been hard to know what to expect being a new division, with some new teams.
“It’s good to win a couple of games and we’re always feeling confident. There is still an element of the unknown.
“We know what good footy looks like for us which we know will be competitive and we’ll see where it takes us.”
Henry said they felt like they had played their brand of footy in the first few rounds, he said for them they focus on the contested ball and stoppages.
The core group from last season has returned but with the club now having two sides there is a mixture of players.
“We have got a lot of new players,” Henry said.
“We have a squad of 77 which is double the amount of players. The core group has hung around and it helps knowing each other.
“We have 12 players in the VFL [Victorian Football League] and nine at the Western Jets. That’s practically a full side week to week we need to absorb [if they’re unavailable].
“We wanted to make sure we have depth and have one eye on the future.”
On Saturday, the CYs hosted Westbourne Grammarians for the first time.
The two clubs are the only women’s teams in the western suburbs.
Henry said they had been really looking forward to the game and it was a rivalry they were hoping to build.
The CYs also unveiled their premiership flag before the game in a special moment.
It was a dominant performance by the CYs.
The CYs led by nine points at quarter time before extending the lead to 22 points at half time.
The margin increased to 28 points at the last break before they finished the game off strongly to win, 8.10 (58)-2.1 (13).
Alessia Acquaro kicked two goals for the CYs and was the only multiple goalkicker on the day.
Olivia McGie, Jaimi Paten and Ella Day were named the CYs best.
While they’ve had a strong start, Henry said they haven’t really set expectations on what they want to achieve this season.
“It’s hard to tell early,” he said. “It’s going to be competitive which we expected.
“I’m happy with how we’re doing, it’s a good division.”
In the men’s premier B competition, the CYs remain without a win.
On Saturday, the CYs lost to Old Haileybury, 25.21 (171)-6.9 (45).
Oskar Manton was the only multiple goalkicker for the CYs with two. Cooper Brown and Jordan Busuttil were named their best.
The CYs this week face De La Salle.
