Darebin Falcons coach Mitch Skelly reviews tough VFL Women’s season

Darebin Falcons won just one game this season but coach Mitch Skelly is confident the club has the talent pathway to set itself up for future success.

Darebin Falcons must adapt to survive the new VFL Women’s landscape says coach Mitch Skelly.

After dominating the competition for more than a decade, the Falcons have fallen down the ladder in recent years as the club’s best talent has been stripped by AFLW-aligned clubs.

Darebin won just one game this season, collecting the wooden spoon.

However, it continues to produce homegrown talent through its junior program and Northern Football League team.

Skelly believes this is how the club can return to the top of Victorian women’s football.

Darebin coach Mitch Skelly talks to his players.

Darebin captain Stephanie Simpson gets a handball clear. Picture: Steve Tanner

“On the scoreboard we didn’t get as many wins as we would have liked but we were really happy with the development of players,” he said.

“There were 17 players that made their VFLW debut, four of which came from the Darebin under-18s in 2019 and three from our NFNL program.

“While the scoreboard didn’t always go our way we were pleased that we could promote that pathway and set the club up for the future.

“It’s the changing landscape, particularly with the alignment of VFLW with AFLW … we’ve got to adjust the way we approach recruitment.

“Whether you’re part of the juniors or NFNL program you get access to VFLW-level coaching and access to the players.

“When you see players go through that program it’s inspiring and motivating for young girls coming through.

“If they don’t get drafted or selected for representative squads there’s still an opportunity for them to push ahead and play at an elite level.”

The Falcons’ win game against North Melbourne in Round 6 with skipper Steph Simpson kicking four goals and youngster Alice Caddy best on ground.

Kathleen Roe gets taken down by Essendon’s Georgie Prespakis.

Nicole Callinan battles for the ball against Essendon’s Ruby Svarc.

However, the club struggled to compete against teams stacked with AFLW-listed talent.

Just three AFLW-listed players featured for Darebin this season, Jess Dal Pos, Georgia Hammond and Annalyse Lister.

Reigning Lambert-Pearce Medallist Lauren Pearce did not return in 2021 together as well as fellow Melbourne-listed stars Elise O’Dea, Gabby Colvin and Brisbane’s Lauren Arnell.

Instead it gave the club’s next generation a chance to shine.

Alyssa Mifsud, Ashleigh Gunn, Genevieve Lawson-Tavan, Samara David and Simpson played all 14 games with Simpson the leading goalkicker.

Mikayla Plunkett, Peppa Poultney were late-season additions following their NAB League Girls duties.

Skelly was impressed with the seasons of David, Kathleen Roe, Nicole Callinan and Caddy.

“Kathleen playing down back, she missed a few games with injury, but whenever she played she was always in our best players,” he said.

“Nicky Callinan came back for the latter part of the year because she was doing some coaching at St Kilda but straight away had an impact on the field and was also like a coach on the field.

“Sammy David was one of our more experienced players who played at times forward, back and in the midfield, she was able to plug any hole and provide us a really good option.

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“She was injured later in the season but I was really impressed with Alice Caddy, who’s only played footy for a year or two and played some really big games and kicked a few goals.

“If she continues with her footy development on the same trajectory there’s every chance she could be an AFLW prospect in the future.”

Skelly is yet to sign on for a second season at Darebin but enjoyed his first season as senior coach.

“It’s an awesome club to be involved in, at Darebin you’re not just coaching a team you’re part of the community,” he said.