Formidable Murrumbeena Lions women’s footy team joins new league for 2019 season

A champion women’s football team, described as “cats with wings’’, are so dominant they’ve been shipped off to tackle another league. Here’s what’s in store for the unbeaten Murrumbeena Lions.

The mighty Murrumbeena FC women's 2018 premiership team.

Murrumbeena’s champion women’s football team — described last year as “cats with wings’’ — is out to conquer new competition.

The Lions have been unbeaten in Division 1 of the Southern league since being formed early in 2017, more thrashing than defeating opponents.

Last year they finished the home-and-away season at 14-0 and with the extraordinary percentage of 1720, kicking 1634 points and conceding only 95.

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They were tested at times in the finals, but defeated Oakleigh District by 30 points and then Endeavour Hills by 15 points in the decider.

After two years as premiers and champions, Murrumbeena will now play in the South Eastern Women’s Football League, starting in Division 2. The reserves will stay in the Southern league.

“The players have driven it,’’ coach Emrys Lloyd-Griffiths said.

“They thought they’d get more competition and more even competition in a higher grade.

“Some players weren’t getting enough football because of the (lopsided) scoring, especially the backline players.’’

Lloyd-Griffiths said Murrumbeena had kept the bulk of its premiership team and he expected it to hold its own in the new league.

“I think we’ll see some sides with more experienced players and sides with maybe better game structure,’’ he said.

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“Really, we’re coming from a development league and some of the clubs we’ll be coming up against have been around for a while. The competition will be stiffer, for sure. But the way they’re training at the moment, I’m 100 per cent convinced our girls will be competitive. Training has been good and they’re committed.’’

The move to the South Eastern league will bring another change for the Lions, going to 18-a-side football (Southern women’s matches are 16 a side).

Lloyd-Griffiths said he believed his team would have no trouble adapting.

He said Murrumbeena would continue to play a running game.

“It’s no secret we try to launch from the halfback line and get it out of the middle and move it quick. That’s how we play. That won’t change. We still want to be the cats with wings.’’

Danielle Wearne, who booted 65 goals last year, best and fairest Shanae Carter, captain Lauren Luff, Vanessa Tyrer, Rebecca Niclasen and Alice Kovess will be key players for the Lions.

“We think we’ve got an even mix from the back to the front,’’ Lloyd-Griffiths said.

Training is at Murrumbeena Park on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6pm. New players of all abilities are welcome. The club has arranged specialist coaches to work on skills and game development.

Details: Emrys Lloyd-Griffiths on 0427 072 897 or email [e-mail]

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