Williamstown knows there’s now expectations on it heading into the Victorian Football League women’s season.
After two straight finals series and a minor premiership last season, the Seagulls are hoping to turn that into success at the pointy end of the season.
Having kept the core group together, coach Liam Cavanagh knows that they will have to step it up again.
“We haven’t lost anyone and we’ve been able to consistently build the list,” he said. “We’ve added players who are the best in their competitions and are able to fill roles.
“The expectation is there and we’ve never had that before. We have only won one final and we still have a lot to achieve.
“We need to get back to that and don’t think it will just happen.”
Cavanagh said they’d taken some lessons out of their two practice matches, having not got the win in either.
He said they would learn from them.
“There were a few different factors,” he said. “We have to figure out our best cohesive line up.
“Both games were six quarter games to allow us to do that.
“The effort against Sandringham which had 13 players who had played AFLW was great. Yesterday [April 6] it felt like we were expecting everything to go right.
“We were close to Port Melbourne. It opened our eyes to the level that we need to be this year.”
Cavanagh said they feel like they’ve been able to bring in some really strong talent.
Ruby Mahany has crossed from Essendon, while Gabby De Angellis and Jemima Wrigley have both come from the Southern Saints.
Georgia Howes has been impressive in the ruck in the off season, while captain Eliza Straford and defender Zoe Day are still to come back into the team after injury.
Among those from a local level, the Seagulls have picked up Krissy Trang from Burnside Heights and Charli Sette from Point Cook Centrals.
Trang has won three league best and fairest medals in the Essendon District Football League.
“I sent her a message three years ago after she won a best and fairest medal,” he said. “She only got back to me a month ago.
“She is VFLW level. The timing has worked out well.
“Charlie won the under-19 best and fairest in the Western league. She only started playing footy a year ago and is going between us and the Western Jets.
“We’ve had a few players turn up at the door which is pleasing.”
The Seagulls kick off their season on April 20 against the Western Bulldogs.
