VU POLYTECHNIC SENIOR WOMEN’S PREVIEW: SPOTSWOOD

By KEL ROWE

When their reappointment was announced in October last year, Spotswood Division 1 Senior Women’s co-coaches Chris Grant and Ian Allan signalled that they had unfinished business. This year, it’s clear that their side means business and are keen to make reparations for their grand final loss in the season prior.

In 2023, the Wolves are 4 and 0 on the winners list and sit atop of the Division 1 ladder. Spotswood has long had a dominant presence in the WRFL, and the co-coaches are pleased to see that continue, attributing it to a strong preseason and the eagerness of their playing group.

“[We had a] number of keen females who came to preseason training that we started back at the end of 2022. The skill and talent our team has continued to develop during preseason, is starting to show in our weekly games,” they noted.

Since the team’s inception, Spotswood has set about building a strong list, one that currently boasts several listed VFLW players, and a strong group of young athletes involved in the Coates Talent pathway via the Western Jets.

This season that talent pool has grown again, with the playing group featuring interstate faces, most notably, some strong imports from the Northern Territory Football League (NTFL).

“We have welcomed a number of players from interstate, who are sharing their skills and knowledge of the game. We are looking forward to is seeing the team develop into leaders, both personally and in their football careers,” the coaches said.

That leadership is spread across the ground, with the co-coaches reluctant to single any one player out — instead priding themselves on a competitive, cohesive and determined team, who play for each other in an effort “to be the best that they can be”.

With only six sides in the competition, Spotswood believe that each hit-out brings a different challenge for their side — but one that they are prepared for. “We like to think we are ready and capable to meet that challenge each week,” the coaches said.

As they their move through the season, the co-coaches hope that the side continues to focus on what it means to be a team, what they are playing for, and what each individual brings to the team each week.

Catch them in action this Saturday morning, as they go head-to head on home turf against old foes Caroline Springs!