Spurs coach wants consistency for VFL Women finals push

VU  WESTERN Spurs’ quest for a VFL Women’s finals berth is in their hands with three rounds remaining in the regular season.

VU Western Spurs have their finals fate in their own hands. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

VU  WESTERN Spurs’ quest for a VFL Women’s finals berth is in their hands with three rounds remaining in the regular season.

Boasting a new game plan with several new players, the Spurs have impressed this year to put themselves in contention after finishing sixth in 2016.

Aliesha Newman has impressed this season. Picture: Mark Wilson

“I have been really pleased with how we’ve come together,” coach Debbie Lee said.

“We have welcomed about 12 new players into the senior team and I’m really pleased how they’ve been able to gel together.

“We’ve really challenged our girls to take on the game plan and they’ve responded.”

The Spurs sit fifth on the ladder with a 7-4 record after Sunday’s 12.6 (78) to 1.3 (9) loss to Melbourne Uni.

They appear to be a in a three-way race for the last two finals positions with the Mugars and St Kilda and will round out their home-and-away campaign with matches against Geelong, the Saints and Darebin Falcons.

“It is a good thing that it is in our control. We are not relying on others,” Lee said.

“We’ve just got to bring consistent footy for four quarters. We need to share the workload and have a willingness to run the ball. If we do that, the results will look after themselves.”

Lee said she was pleased her team had displayed “real improvement across the board”.

She also highlighted the development of Sarah Lampard, who has “taken her game to another level off the halfback flank”.

“I think that Tara Morgan is getting her confidence up, while Aliesha Newman, who is new to the game and the sport, is really starting to learn and develop,” Lee said.

VU Western Spurs coach Debbie Lee addresses her players. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

It comes as four of the club’s five senior teams look set to play finals, which was “testament to the programs we’re running at the club”.

But VFL Women’s finals is not the only thing on the football veteran’s plate, having been selected to coach Victoria against the Allies in a one-off game next month.

“It will be a great game, the best of the best since AFLW came together last year, so it’s going to be really exciting,” Lee said.

“The timing is obviously not ideal, but it is also a great opportunity for us to show the talent in the country.

“I think all the players and staff have opened their arms to this concept, even with VFL finals the next week.

“It is a great opportunity to wear the state jumper.”