Calder Cannons get off to winning start as NAB League Girls returns

Calder Cannons made a winning start to its NAB League campaign on Sunday as young stars Emelia Yassir and Georgie Prespakis impressed.

Emelia Yassir in action for Calder Cannons. Picture: Julian Smith

Calder Cannons made a promising start to its NAB League Girls campaign on Sunday, beating Sandringham Dragons by 16 points.

Two goals just before half-time sparked the Cannons into action as they booted four unanswered majors in the third term to set up an unassailable lead at Craigieburn.

Skipper Georgie Prespakis impressed with 21 disposals, 11 tackles – both game highs – and six clearances in an all-round performance.

Emelia Yassir finished with 18 touches and Calder had six individual goalkickers in the 6.4 (40) to 3.6 (24) win.

Happy to get the win first up, Cannons coach Ross Smith was even more pleased with the performance.

Georgie Prespakis in action for Calder Cannons. Picture: Julian Smith

“More pleasing than the win was the way we went about it, I think we had 92 tackles,” he said.

“That’s a very high number for the team that wins, to win the tackle count and the game was really pleasing.

“Sandy had 82 tackles themselves so it was an incredibly physical game in that sense and that will stand us in good stead.”

The team shared a behind in the opening term as both teams focused pressure at the contest, Calder broke the game open in the shadows of half-time.

Shelby Meyer and Mali McLeod kicked goals to give their team a three-point lead at the main break.

Calder piled on four goals in the third term and held on despite Sandringham’s fightback in the final term, the Dragons left to rue missed opportunities in front of goal.

“We got two goals right on half-time, to that point we hadn’t kicked a goal, so that was really important,” Smith said.

“That gave the girls some confidence going into the third quarter, we kicked four, which probably put it beyond Sandy’s reach.”

Neve Cowley in action for Calder Cannons. Picture: Julian Smith

Prespakis has been talked about as a possible No.1 AFLW Draft pick this season and would certainly have caught recruiters attention with her improved defensive work.

Smith praised Yassir’s work in sparking the side in the second quarter and his defensive standing up under sustained pressure from the Dragons.

“Georgie had 11 tackles, we all know she’s a skilful player, which was really pleasing and had 14 handballs bringing others into the game,” he said. “She’s worked really hard on the defensive side of her game.

“Emelia was instrumental in both those goals before half-time and took her game to another level in the second half. Something always seems to “happen when she has the ball.

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“Sandy had the ball in their half quite a bit, so our backline was under pressure, but we had some big winners down there – Harriett Cashman, Kasey Lennox, Isabel Rowland was really good.

“We had a lot of players that had even games, we only had one 20-possession player, but we had a pretty even spread.”

The Cannons will face Northern Knights in Round 2, a rematch of the 2019 Grand Final.

“We’ve got a good couple of tests coming up against Northern Knights, traditionally a very strong team and northern suburbs rivalry. Then we’ve got Oakleigh the week after that,” Smith said.