By Tara Murray
Keilor Park fell just short its in biggest test this season in Essendon District Football League Women’s division 1.
Having played some good football this season, the Devils face ladder leaders Moonee Valley on Sunday.
In the closest game of the round, it was the Fog that prevailed 4.4 (28)-3.7 (25).
The Devils got off to a flying start kicking the only three goals of the opening quarter.
The Fog were able to level the scores at half time, before the Devils kicked three points in third quarter to lead by that margin at the final break.
There would be only one goal in the final quarter and that would be enough to seal the win for the Fog.
Speaking before the match, Devils coach Brent Cooper said it had been a really enjoyable season so far.
He said they had been able to make a lot of inroads from where they were 12 months ago.
“We had been training for so long, so to get to round one and then have Avondale forfeiting it was a challenge,” he said.
“We then played Greenvale the week after and won by 80 points, which is something different for us.
“It’s been really good. We’ve been focusing on how to play football and where to go to the kicks.”
Having had a big turnover from their inaugural list, the Devils have more depth than they did 12 months ago.
Cooper said that was highlighted on the scoreboard,
He said the likes of Meghan Patrick, Chiara and Sara Imela, Ashleigh Armstead and Caitlin Holzheimer were some of the standouts this season.
“Meagan has been in the best every week,” he said. “She finished equal second in the league under-18 best and fairest behind Georgie Prespakis last year.
“Chiara is a 16-year-old and Sara is her older sister.
“I met Catie playing AFL 7s and she had never played before and she is star”
Cooper said defensively the side had been really strong, with the attacking end where they need to make the improvements.
“We haven’t been scored against much,” he said.
“We need to get the forward line connection right and try and work on that.
“Against Greenvale we had 27 shots, then the next three weeks we had 20 shots across those three games.
“It was back up to 17 against Maribynrong Park.”
Cooper said they still hadn’t set out any long term goals for this season. He said the aim was continuing the work they’ve been doing this season.
Keilor Park currently sit third with a 4-2 record.
“Everyone is happy to learn and we know we’re a chance to win if we go out and play our best.
“We don’t want to lose focus on the basic things and are just worried about doing what we have to do to have a good game.”
