Women’s football: Pearcedale climbs the ladder in SEWF Div 2

Pearcedale’s women’s football side has emerged as a finals contender in the SEWF league, powered by several rookies.

Keely Burns has been a great find for Pearcedale this season. Picture: Valeriu Campan

There’s been a bit of everything for Pearcedale already this season.

A draw, a couple of losses and two rousing wins.

And now, after beating Hastings 4.7 (31) to 1.2 (8) on Saturday, the Dales have climbed into the top four in Division 2 of the South Eastern Women’s Football league.

Pearcedale coach Les Rand says his side is on the up.

“We have certainly been in every game, and we could have won every one of them as well,” he said.

“Kicking for goal has let us down, we’ve kicked a hell of a lot of points.

“We’re in the top four now.”

Pearcedale’s Mollie Long goes for the ball. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Captain Meghan Doherty leads a talented side, featuring quality forwards Alisha Kelly and Hayley Roberts, who have kicked 12 goals between them this season.

And a few surprise packets have emerged for the Dales this season, notably Anja Kniesel,

Keely Burns and Sarah Ellis — all playing their first season of football.

Alisha Kelly.

“They’ve been outstanding,’’ Rand said of the three rookies.

“They look like they’ve been playing for years. That’s a hell of a bonus.’’

Ellis is from Pearcedale royalty; her dad Mick is a club life member and was a fine player for the Dales in the 1980s and 90s.

Rand said Ellis had been a revelation in defence.

“She’s been in our best players every week,” he said.

“And she’s had a best-on-ground and a couple of four and three vote games as well.

“You just look at her and think, ‘bloody hell, how did we luck into that?’”

Pearcedale coach Les Rand at the huddle. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Isabella Ciavola takes a kick for Pearcedale. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Charlotte White, Isabella Ciavola, Jemma Comben and Harriet Duncan are others to impress for the Dales this season.

Rand has been most pleased with his side’s “run and link” style of play.

“That’s what we’ve been focusing on, keep the width, keep them running, keep the ball on the outside and let’s go from there,” he said.

“We’ve been pretty good at that but that’s just how you want to play footy I reckon.”

Pearcedale has a bye this weekend before hosting ladder-leading Warragul.