Montmorency has made a flawless to start to the 2021 NFNL Women’s season, with both sides undefeated after the opening three rounds of grading.
The two Magpies’ teams are among only four sides to have made a 3-0 start to the season, giving the club a 6-0 start to the campaign.
Montmorency women’s football manager Gail Blythe has been thrilled with the club’s form over the opening three rounds of grading.
Speaking after both teams won by seven goals on the weekend, Blythe said she was excited about the balance that both women’s sides have.
“I think what we’ve seen is that we’ve got a very good balance of players which have been able to help us out, which is good,” Blythe told NFNL.org.au.
“We’ve picked up a lot of our junior girls coming through and had a few transfers from other clubs. The girls have really embraced each other.”
New players that have impressed her include Emily Beanland, who was best afield in Montmorency 1’s win over previously unbeaten Greensborough on Saturday, as well as two from the club’s junior program in Shae Collinson and Chiara Scuderi.
Blythe also heaped praise on emerging player Chelsea Pearson.
“There’s another girl in the twos, Chelsea Pearson. She hasn’t played a one’s game yet but she’s certainly stepping up,” Blythe said.
“And then we’ve got our old stalwarts. They’re still there, which has been really good. They’ve helped a lot of the younger girls. And we’ve been able to find a balance between having the older and the younger players.”
Taylah Harris, daughter of senior head coach Warren Harris, has impressed so far, booting three goals on the weekend and six so far in both the first and second team this season.
“A lot of these girls have come through our junior ranks as well and Taylah’s probably stepped up,” Blythe said.
“She’s actually still eligible to play under-18s, but she wants to play with her sisters in the side.”
Blythe is hoping the strong numbers in Montmorency’s junior program will not only help them the club this season, but also in years to come.
“We’ve got great numbers at under-16 and under-18 as well. We have three under-14 junior sides. The future for Monty as far as our program is going is really exciting,” Blythe said.
“And I think that’s what we’re building on in building that club culture and having real Monty people as part of the group of girls coming through.”
Despite the on-field success, Blythe said the most important thing about 2021 was just being able to enjoy football again after the cancelled 2020 season.
“I think the social aspect of it all, building new friendships. We’ve got a lot of new girls who are developing friendships. And just being out on the field and getting that fitness happening is really exciting,” she said.
Both Montmorency sides will face the Darebin this weekend in a double-header at Montmorency Park North Oval on Sunday.
