2024 has been quite the journey for Keilor Park’s women’s side.
The Devils have really been through it all from thumping victories, tough losses, a heartbreaking forfeit, and dramatic close victories – Luke Baker’s side have had a rollercoaster of a year.
After not fielding a women's side since the 2019 season, 2024 has seen a remarkable turnaround which has culminated in a finals berth against nemesis Airport West on Saturday that will no doubt please all of the Keilor Park community.
Baker has been there every step of the way from building the team to having a shot at qualifying for a preliminary final on Saturday, and it certainly hasn’t been without its difficulties.
“There’s always challenges in footy, it doesn’t matter if it’s a men’s side, women’s side, a side that’s on top, or a side that’s struggling on field," Baker said.
"No team is perfect and gets through a season without challenges.
“I would say some of our challenges this year were obviously recruiting and building a team from scratch, we obviously did manage to recruit the numbers we needed but it did take a lot of time and effort.
“We were recruiting all throughout our preseason and therefore made it harder to train structures, systems, and how we want to play as a team.
"Some of us had a full preseason and others had half a preseason, or even some committed just a few weeks before the season.”
The season appeared to be taking a dramatic turn when they were unable to field a side to take on Greenvale in Round 7 due to injuries and unavailability.
With their character being tested, Baker was able to stay positive and do something most teams couldn’t do, by turning things around and qualifying for finals only weeks after a forfeit.
“Forfeiting is something I really never want to do, I believe that you learn and grow with every game you play.
"Whether it’s a win or a loss, there is always a lesson to be learned or ways to improve your game both individually and as a team.
“It wasn’t a super negative affect on the team as we knew it was just one of those unlucky weeks, it’s not too often over half the team can’t play on the same day so we just refocused on the next game and moving forward.”
The resilience shown by the Devils wouldn’t have been possible without captain Mia Tournas.
The self-dubbed coach's pet was a popular choice for the captain’s role with her work ethic and professionalism leaving no doubt in Baker’s mind that she was the perfect option to lead her team out onto the ground.
“I’ve had the privilege to have coached Mia since her first year of senior footy.
"Since I first met her, she has shown an exemplary work ethic and professionalism with her footy and to do that at such a young age showed her potential as a leader.
“When it came time to decide on a captain and leadership group, I valued the team’s opinions and asked them individually who they thought and looked to as leaders.
"I think that’s important because who I may have seen as a leader, if majority of the playing group didn’t, then that can cause some issues so I really wanted the team’s feedback.
“Mia has done an amazing job as captain and she’s still only 20 years old so I can’t give her enough credit for the work she’s put in for this team all season.
"I know she will continue to grow as she is as professional as they come and is just a special person both on and off the field.”
With all the lows the women in orange and green have experienced in 2024, there have been equally as many highs, with none being sweeter than the ANZAC Day victory against Tullamarine.
“It was a privilege to be able to play on such a special day and getting that first win on the board as a team will always be something special.
"Another special moment was when we knew we had locked in a spot in the finals, to be able to do that in our first year as a team, in Division One, is a great achievement and something our girls should be very proud of."
Regardless of what happens at John McMahon Reserve on Saturday, the Devils story is nowhere near finished, with Baker hoping this is just the start of a sustained period of success.
“I’d love for the team to keep growing, hopefully this year shows we are a competitive team and that invites recruitment interest to help make the team stronger.
"Also to have a full preseason as a team I think will produce growth and even better results next year.”
Time will tell if Keilor Park can come away with their first finals victory in five years.
The side has come a long way in 2024 and the challenges they’ve faced will hold them in good stead in years to come.
