WSL2 - Report by Darren Steere

Again we ventured to Camberwell to take on Monash Uni. The 9 o’clock start probably had  a lot to do with only 8 girls fronting up for us, and 7 for them. The game got under way and it was an arm wrestle, the pool is narrow and both teams manned up, player on player.   Monash is a more senior women’s team than the two previous games against Richmond Yellow and Tigers. They weren’t going to be pushed around, and neither were we. Goals to Maria, Alex and Emmy kept us in touch at quarter time, 3 - 4. It was the same in the second quarter, very much goal for goal. Monash took advantage in most of their attacks, and I thought we were a little wasteful in ours.  This wasn’t to show on the scoreboard with Monash getting two goals, while we scored 5 via Alex 2, Emmy 2 and 1 to Maria. It probably means we really could have put this game away by halftime, now at 8 - 6. All girls were working hard in the third, Katie solid in goals and Lara at centre back. Olivia was having a few shots on goal and seemed to like hitting the frame. Phoebe was one out at centre forward, with the absence of Gen. We scored 4 goals this quarter and Monash 5. The ball was pinging around the pool, with both teams tiring, I was hoping they would be more tired,12-11. With one goal the difference at the start of the 4th quarter, I think we still thought we were always in control. To their credit, Monash fought hard to the end, scoring 4, but our girls put the foot down and taking nearly all our opportunities in front of goals, piled on 9 goals.

It was a very good, solid game against very good opponents.

Essendon defeated Monash University : 21 - 13  

Goals : Maria 6, Emmy 5, Mietta 4, Alex 4, Olivia 1, Lara 1

WSL3 - Report by Lisa Murray-Segal

Another good turn out this week with 10 players available, against a younger side in NYPD. We were excited to have a guest coach for the evening, in former WSL3 player Clare Plueckhahn, who now lives in NSW (but returns to Melbourne occasionally for work) and has joined the Byron Bay Bullshark's Water Polo club! So we hit the pool with Clare's encouraging words in our ears and made a solid start. We had most of the attacking plays, but struggled to convert or take advantage of our players with space. NYPD scored the first, but we were quick to reply with a nice little hook over the shoulder shot from Sheridan in centre forward. By quarter time, NYPD had snuck in a second, and we were down 1-2. It was much the same in the second, but we felt we were starting to build some momentum. A goal early by NYPD was matched late in the term when LisaMS got a great pass from Georgia on the turnover and sprinted (???) up the pool to beat the goalie one-on-one. The defibulator was on standby, but NYPD were fully charged and reciprocated with another goal before the whistle blew for halftime at 2-4. We felt the game was still within our grasp excited by the close scoreline and the standard of our game. Clare asked us to create more space around CF. We were crowding, and there were some cracks in our defence that needed a plug. But as we started the third, it was clear our mojo's were still on the sidelines. Poor passing, poor positioning, poor shots and poor decisions - gave NYPD opportunities to score, and they added 3, whilst we remained scoreless. Down 2-7 at the start of the final quarter, we managed to pick ourselves up and settle back into a rhythm. Despite better passages of play, we couldn't convert, and NYPD finished the game how they started, with another 2. A BIG THANKYOU to Clare for her words of wisdom and support and to all the girls who put in so much effort each game, without that being reflected on the scorecard. We will get there.... 🐢🐢🐢

Essendon were defeated by the NYP Dragons : 2 - 9  

Goals : Sheridan 1, LisaMS 1

MSL4 

The guys enjoyed a night off, with a scheduled BYE this week, but will face the ladder leaders Melbourne Surge Obsidian next week.

12&U Mixed 

Footscray/Essendon Vs Richmond (match result unknown)

14&U Girls - Report by Sandra Mink-Grobbe

With a full squad of 13, the girls were excited to get in and see if they could get a win on the board. It was a very tight game in the first half with lots of turnovers on both sides, showing the nerves after such a long break. Unfortunately, in the second half the girls found themselves a bit insecure at times and the ball was not going forward enough. Due to the lack of movement upfront, they could not convert to goals. At the other end was a lot of movement, resulting in multiple penalties being awarded and they found the back of the net. It was a great effort by all and a lot of positives to take to the next game.

Essendon/Geelong were defeated by Melbourne Collegians : 3 - 9  Goals : Madeleine 1, Katie 1, Violet 1

14&U Boys

Northcote/Footscray/Essendon Vs Richmond (match result unknown)

Yth Boys - Report by Scott Holland

Another tough game this week, against another Richmond team. The boys had a different coach too.

Zac was pretty happy with his efforts as he managed to score 2 of the team's 4 goals. 

Northcote/DVE Aquatic/Essendon were defeated by Richmond Yellow : 4 - ?  Goals : Zac 2 (others TBC)

In 2007, the club took a group of our talented juniors to a special 4 day training camp at the AIS in Canberra. It was quite an experience for the players, who got to stay, train and play at the national hub. They stayed in the same complex as the Australia Women's team, and shared the dining hall with the likes of Grant Hackett and Libby Lenton.

Many highlights included a visit to the War Memorial, attending Nutrition and Sports Psychology lectures, participating in boxacise and yoga sessions and talking to resident elite athletes about their experiences. However the main event was of course the water polo! Our juniors were able to watch a women's training session under National Coach Greg McFadden before he turned the tables and took our players through their paces. They also experienced a training session with the (then) newly appointed National Men's coach - John Fox. A former Footscray player and 2-time Olympian, John coached the National team from 2007-2012.

You'll recognise a very young Alex and Maddy Steere below, showing John their diary/notebook for the camp. The trip was supported by the club with Darren Steere and a number of parents attending.