Proud day as senior Swans take flight for first time

The record books will show it as a loss, but Ballarat’s first game in the BFLW senior competition last Saturday was anything but a defeat or disappointment.

As a milestone, it was a moment to be proud about, a tribute to resilience and a necessary step in the process of achieving future success.

And as coach Dean Pidgeon was quick to emphasise following his side’s 11.7 (73) to 1.3 (9) defeat to reigning premier Darley at Alfredton Recreation Reserve, it was the first small step in part two of their journey.

The Swans entry into the competition this year successfully marked the end of part one of the journey following a years-long battle to have the numbers for a senior team.

“To have 19 players ready, fit and firing and seven new players to the club was brilliant,” Pidgeon said.

“It was a great turnout crowd-wise and on our home deck. It was a great day.

We talked at the start of the game about it being a journey and how we are only at the start of this part.

“There was no way we were going to peak today (Saturday).

“We still don’t know where our ceiling is, but we have all got belief we will find it and will reach it.

“There’s a lot to take out of it, a lot to build on and a lot to learn.”

In truth, a first-up encounter against a Devils team coming into the season on the back of a premiership three-peat was always going to be an arduous assignment.

 

 

But the Swans were neither overawed nor intimidated as evidenced by their bright start to the contest.

When co-captain Shellby Lonie slotted the Swans first goal in BFLW ranks in the latter half of the opening term – after a few squandered chances by teammates – they led the Devils by nine points.

The margin was two less at quarter-time.

Then the Devils kicked into gear. A 41-0 second quarter sealed the Swans’ fate, albeit they were ultra-competitive throughout the second half, despite not adding to their score and Darley adding five more majors.

Pidgeon could not question his players’ effort, endeavour and attack on the ball; and most of all, their perseverance.

“I didn’t think the scoreboard did justice to the contest,” he said.

“We had a really bad lapse in the second quarter and that cost us any momentum we had in the game.

“But I was really proud with how we came out after half time.

“We still lost the second half on the scoreboard, but we more than matched them around the ground.

 

 

“They had many more mature bodies and much better synergy; they’re a three-straight premiership team.

“We are under no illusions we’ve got work to do, but we are by no means disillusioned.

“But after that, we know exactly where we are at compared to one of the two yardsticks of the competition.”

Zoe Burke shone brightest for the Swans on the wing, winning plenty of contested possessions and using her speed to great effect in what will be one of just a handful of games she will play this season, soon bound for overseas.

Club newcomers Remy Callender and Yazmin O’Keefe toiled hard in defence, while Chloe Everett and Alexandria Gladman provided plenty of dash, and Lonie won plenty of ball in the midfield.

After a long wait to field a senior women’s team, long-time Swan and co-captain Imogen O’Brien said it was good to see the club’s hard work and faith get repaid.

“I’ve been here since I was a junior and it’s amazing to be part of what’s happening at the moment,” she said.

“It feels so special.”

Humble in victory, new Darley coach Danyel Waters, whose extensive coaching resume includes having been part of AFLW, Victorian Football League Women’s and Talent League programs, predicted bright days ahead for the Swans.

“We didn’t really know what to expect with Ballarat knowing they were a new side, but we did know they were young and fast and we didn’t want to underestimate them,” she said.

“They rattled us a bit in that first quarter.

 

 

“But we got back to playing our game and got back on track.”

Waters said her players were eager to show their respect to the competition newcomers, joining East Point players to form a guard of honour as the Swans made their way onto the ground for the first time.

“We’re rapt we have another team to play; it’s only going to benefit us and the strength of the competition,” she said.

“I think it was really important to show the respect to their inaugural side, also knowing they would have felt pretty anxious being a young side and facing the premiers.

“It was a small gesture, but something that would have helped them feel more at ease.”