Fitzroy Stars women’s football coach Lisa Roper is excited about what her side has already produced in its inaugural season and is looking forward to what is to come.
Despite losing their opening two games, the Stars have since won their past three, including a 28-point victory over Mernda which moved them into second place on the Mirvac Division 3 Women’s ladder.
Speaking to NFNL.org.au, Roper said one of the key reasons for the improved form over the past three matches has been a strong defensive structure.
In their three-game win streak, the Stars have conceded an average of only eight points per game.
“One of my traits is that I often put some of my best players in the back line. They can just repel each attack and start transitioning forward. That’s the way we want to play,” Roper said.
The Stars have built the team from the ground up, with most players having next to no football experience before putting their hand up to play this year.
“We’ve got half the team who are new to football or haven’t played since they were kids,” Roper said.
“Each week we’re just learning more and taking it to the field. And it’s pretty exciting to see what we can do right now.”
Having previously served as a midfield coach with Collingwood’s VFLW team, as well as an assistant at Darebin, Roper said she jumped at the opportunity to coach the Stars in their inaugural season.
“I love the Indigenous style of football and I thought here was an opportunity to get involved with a club and coach that style of football,” Roper said.
“I like the setup of the club. I like the way that the AAL (Aborigines Advancement League) supports them. I just thought that perhaps I could come in as coach and try to learn their culture as well.”
Roper has been impressed with the rapid development of the playing group, including Leah Seeto and Valiecia and Shona Kelly-Briggs.
“Seeto’s probably almost too strong to be playing in the competition,” Roper said.
“She will tackle somebody or bump somebody and they will usually go flying from her. There’s nothing actually wrong with her technique, it’s just that she’s so strong.
“I think what the Kelly-Briggs sisters do is that they’re calm and take on information.
“Because there’s so many girls learning, we’re giving them so much information each week and they just absorb it, take it out onto the field and put it to good use.”
Fitzroy will look to continue its winning streak this week when it faces fifth-placed Laurimar at Laurimar Reserve on Sunday.
The Stars take on Mirvac Division 3 Women’s ladder-leader Banyule the following week, with Roper looking forward to the rematch, believing her side has improved greatly since their defeat to the Bears in the opening round of grading.
“I think that when Banyule plays us they’ll feel like they’re playing a completely different team. We’re looking forward to that one and hopefully we can get the result.”
Roper said it was also important to praise the work of Aunty Es Bamblett and Aunty Helen Archibald, who have been a great support to the team in 2021.
“We’ve got a really good support structure with Es Bamblett, who runs the board for the club. Aunty Helen, who’s our team manager, does so much work making sure we’re prepared each week.”
