Blues finding rhythm early in 2024

WINCHELSEA will not be underestimating North Geelong when the two meet in their Round 3 clash on Saturday as the Blues aim to start their 2024 campaign off with three wins from three outings.

Blues playing-coach Casey Carroll says the team’s knowledge of North Geelong is largely unknown, due to the Magpies strong investment in its junior ranks, but the coach says the team will go into Saturday’s clash similar to any other week.

“Every time we come up against North Geelong it’s always a competitive game, so we never really know what we’re coming up against until we play them,” Carroll said.

“We never go into our games against North Geelong lightly. We’ll approach them like any other game or as a top five side, but there’s some unknowns for us going into that game.”

Winchelsea has had a strong start to 2024, defeating last year’s preliminary finalists Thomson and Bannockburn to begin the season 2-0, reminiscent of recent seasons.

Carroll and her staff were able to retain the majority of its playing list from 2023, with star defender Gemma Stavenhuiter, coupled with the attacking threat of Melody Philpott and Ebony Berg, leading the early charge for the Blues.

Katrina Biscan has also emerged a prominent force up front, shooting 55 goals in her first two appearances on the season, meanwhile Meg Royal continues to operate out of the centre.

Carroll has also been impressed with the addition of Modewarre premiership player Zoe Tennant, who has seamlessly fitted in with Winchelsea’s defensive unit.

“Zoe brings extra leadership and composure off our backend. She has slotted in nicely and adds a different dynamic to our team, which is great,” Carroll said.

“We have a few up-and-comers playing through our B, C, and D grade sides. A couple of names to watch out for are Reani Mawson whose in our C Grade side, Millie Partridge in our D Grade side, and young Kalarni Boddington in our Under 19s side, so yeah, we have some young talent coming through which we’ll be keeping an eye on.”

Winchelsea and North Geelong will begin A Grade play at 4.30pm at Eastern Reserve tomorrow.