VU POLYTECHNIC SENOR WOMEN’S PREVIEW: CAROLINE SPRINGS DIVISION 2
By KEL ROWE
After a going down to a dominant Sharks outfit in the 2022 Grand Final, the Division 2 Caroline Springs side have reinvented themselves in Season 2023. Leading the group through the season, on and off the field, is Playing Coach Alisha Fowler. The seasoned veteran of the WRFL Women’s competition is keen to see her side flourish again this year.
“I’ve loved watching the team develop and enjoy the ride so far. Footy is about having fun, hanging socially with your team, giving 100% effort — and of course we all love a win,” Fowler said. “
“Women’s footy has brought so many a chance to do things they never thought possible. I love seeing everyone’s smiles at the end of a game, and the bumps and bruises to match — you get that feeling of accomplishment and the fact that we can do anything we set our mind to!
This enthusiasm for the game has clearly rubbed off on her charges, with Fowler also noting the benefits of having a Division 1 side at the club — the set-up has motivated many of her playing group to challenge themselves to play footy at the higher level.
“Both teams train together so we have similar structure, and due to a few injuries early, a lot of the 2s have been getting gigs in the Division 1 side. It’s been a good motivator and also helps with skill enhancement,” Fowler reflected.
Following the conclusion of the season last year, the Lakers saw a changing of the guard— with some key players moving on to higher levels of football — and a wave of new faces join the club. Fowler has been encouraged by the calibre of new players, particularly those that haven’t picked up a footy prior to this season.
“I’m looking forward to watching those first-year players develop, Hayley Schuijers, Veronika Puohotaua, Lyla Griffin, Tyla Romerona, Danni D’Antonio and Bec D’Antonio,” said Fowler. “They have all had ripper starts to the season!”
To date, the Caroline Springs outfit have had a run at all of their Division 2 opponents, winning 5 of their 11 matches. Fowler has enjoyed the matchups so far but flags the ladder-leaders as the biggest contender in the mix.
“Wyndhamvale are definitely the team to beat, they have a great young list, and Kellee Mcintosh has come back in at the right time,” said Fowler. “She is absolutely the cog they were missing, and it’s good to see her back after her knee troubles.”
After last week’s percentage-boosting win over North Sunshine, the Laker’s side have jumped up the table into fourth spot. It’s must-win footy in this week’s Round 12 hit-out against a steadily building Laverton — with a little over 4 percentage points separating the two sides.
Whilst the win is crucial for the team’s finals chances, Fowler insists that for her, it’s still all about growth. “It’s about developing and pushing for season selection, but ultimately for the new young girls and us ‘young’ seasoned veterans — it’s about having FUN!”
Catch the showdown between 4th and 5th on the ladder, when Caroline Springs takes on Laverton at Taylor’s Run Oval, this Sunday at 2:40pm.