JG Gorilla hit the highway early this Sunday morning to head eastwards to Whitefriars College’s and watch and support the Roys Women in the first week of finals for season 2024.
The Ressies were first up and, despite their position as ladder leaders, were scheduled by the VAFA to commence their finals campaign at the ungodly hour of 9.20am. The Roy Girls 2 took to the long and wide expanses of the Whitefriars ground knowing that a win would secure them an immediate berth in the grannie two weeks hence.
As it happened the result was never in doubt, with the Ressies completely and totally conquering their Old Xavs opponents from start to finish.
In the rooms after their impressive win, coach Mick McFarlane was unequivocal – this was a team win. “Every player contributed, every player played their part,” he said, “and I don’t feel inclined to give out best on ground plaudits.”
But as the VAFA paperwork demands, BOG honours have to be acknowledged and as such, Mick bowed to the pressure and named these sterling stars as leading the whole-team charge: Sara Guerra, Elyse Campbell, Chloe Haritopoulos, Gif Hassain, Maren McLaughlan and Elaine Murphy.
The Seniors followed and for coach Nathan Jumeau, it was an undeniably great game of footy.
Playing much better than the opposition for the first three quarters, Nath reiterated a long-held belief that the Roys' effort and skill was not properly reflected on the scoreboard. And echoing the sentiments of the highly vocal Roys' supporters, especially the older members in the crowd, Ju acknowledged that the final quarter wasn't good for the heart.
Because despite Eliza James slotting an amazing early goal from the boundary and putting the Roys up by three goals early in the term, the pressure and determination from St Bedes saw them registering the next three goals in quick succession to leave us with a slim lead of less than a goal.
But as heart rates continued to accelerate alarmingly around the wide expanses of the ground, the Roy Girls settled, putting into practice what they’d been working on time out of mind at training across the season.
“This was red time footy,” says Ju, “and honestly, the girls couldn't have done it any better.
“As coaches we were really happy with how they worked as a cohesive unit, playing their roles throughout the game. And doing it so well.”
As loth as Mick to name best players in a whole-team performance, when pushed Nathan pointed to the efforts of Simone Mooney, Olivia Brilliant, Sarah Lynas, Gemma Murphy, Nadia Conte and Edie Bridgewater.
So the Ressies have a week off, and we wait to hear who and where the Seniors will play next. Let’s hope it’s scheduled for Sunday so we can all get around the Senior Men when they face off on what’s going to be the next step in their campaign to stay up in their inaugural Premier season – this time hosting Uni Blues at home at the great Brunswick Street Oval.
See you there Roys supporters!
JG Gorilla
Action shot courtesy Julie Atkinson
