It’s hard to keep abreast of the Roy Ressie Women, what with rotating coaches and differently compiled squads hitting the field each week. Not that it’s been a detriment – this fabulous group turn up and turn it on every week, making short work of every opposition that’s been served up so far in season 2024.
On Saturday the challenge of a 9.20am start was piqued by cold, windy and pretty inhospitable conditions. With the rain unrelentingly pelting down, a special request had to be lodged for a rain day marquee for the away coaches and training bench.
That remedied, Gemma Minuz took the coaching reins and, like her colleagues over the past weeks, oversaw an impressive win. But as she says, it’s not that easy.
“Selecting the team each week aside,” Gemma says, “picking the best-on is the hardest part about coaching the Ressies at the moment! It was another great team performance, with the lines working together beautifully.
“Led by the voice of Steph Amy and Bronte Holt, the backline gelled well to lock down and get some good clearances.
And the forward line worked hard on the leading patterns drilled by Liz Olney at training during the week, and put it all into action on the ground today.”
Edie Bridgewater's brilliant performance, presenting as a strong leading target up forward and applying her signature pressure to win a lot of the footy around the ground, earned special praise. “Edie linked up strongly with Haley Fitzgerald and BOG Alexa Madden to move the ball through the middle and into our forwards,” Gem said.
“Tori Tonzing who amazing too performing a true utility role today, covering for Christina ‘Moose’ Kelly in the ruck and going forward and back to great effect.”
Unlike last week, the Senior Roy Women played the main game – and the footy weather gods didn’t treat them kindly.
“Wasn't the best day to play footy on the biggest ground in the competition, with two cricket pitches on it,” coach Nathan Jumeau said ruefully. “We put in an amazing effort throughout the game but, again, didn't make the most of the patches of the game where we were well on top.”
Harking back to last season’s run of luck (bad luck that is), the senior Roy Girls fell short by a solitary point, leaving that hollow feeling that they are a very good footy team and one that is still growing their game.
Building on this belief, Nath says he’s really looking forward to seeing how far the group will go this year.
“The backline was great all day with Sarah Lynas and Lauren Atkinson playing great lockdown roles, and Liv Brilliant’s intercept possessions and run and carry from down back absolutely amazing.
“The midfield as a whole battled hard all day and the forwards had some really good patches,” says Ju, “but just didn't get it through the big sticks in the end.”
Following the bye this coming week, the Roy Girls will be celebrating 10 years of fabulous women’s footy for Fitzroy from 11.00am on Saturday 13 July at the Brunswick Street Oval..
Make sure you’re there to join the celebrations and become part of the next era of Fitzroy Football Club history.
JG Gorilla
Images courtesy Julie Atkinson
