By JULIA MONTESANO
THE Sunbury Kangaroos are not your usual EDFL outfit, but they will be a very competitive side in the new-look EDFL Women’s competition.
The Kangaroos’ women’s side came under AFL Goldfields last year, and president and coach, Allan Walters says the significant travel commitments meant that the side had to move to the EDFL competition.
“We were under Goldfields last year and just the travel to Ballarat just absolutely killed the girls,” Walters told essendondfl.com.au.
“Then finals were in Ballarat, we were lucky enough to play in three finals (but) the trips up to Ballarat just took their toll.
“They said if we couldn't move the side down to EDFL, they'll probably look at going elsewhere so we didn't want to start it one year and fold it after that so we were lucky enough to get the team across.”
Despite not playing in the WRFL/ EDFL Women’s competition last year, Walters says that the Kangaroos have been keeping a close eye on last year’s teams.
The Kangaroos coach believes that finals are the aim this year and is hoping to challenge the reigning premiers.
“I suppose we're like every club at this stage of the year,” he said.
“You would hope to play finals (but) it's a big unknown changing leagues.
“We're looking forward to the challenge and hopefully our girls can take it up to sides like Keilor.”
Even though the Kangaroos are a new side in the competition, they have plenty of experienced players in their line-up.
“You've got league best-and-fairest winner from last year in the Goldfields, Demi-Lee Hallett,” Walters said.
“She's hard at the ball.
“Our best-and-fairest winner, Bailee Said, she's also hard at the ball, beautiful kick on her.
“You’ve got Danni Green who's played over 150 games.
“The girls look up to her (and) her nickname's ‘Mum’.”
Green was named 2017 Coach of the Year in the AFL Goldfields competition after taking the Kangaroos to the finals.
Now, she will pull on the boots and take her experience to the EDFL.
Walters says the players will get to mingle with the new recruits… and there are plenty to look out for.
“We’ve got quite a few girls that are hard at it,” he said.
“A few new girls that hopefully might be a bit of a surprise this year – a couple of them that have never played before.
“I'm looking forward to seeing one of them, Regina Said.
“She’s a good sportsperson, it'll be interesting to see how she goes. She's got a bit of height about her so looking forward to seeing how she goes this year.”
If you are interested in suiting up for the Sunbury Kangaroos, please contact president and coach, Allan Walters on 0400 408 019.
