With BSO duties interrupting your scribe’s ability to report direct from the Women’s games against West Brunswick at West Brunswick on Saturday, JG Gorilla caught up with senior coach Nathan Jumeau on the sidelines of the Junior Girls’ U16 clash on Sunday against Ivanhoe at Brunswick Street Oval.

So you could say that this report comes straight from the Lion’s mouth.

He was there because he loves women’s footy (naturally) and because a great swathe of the Fitzroy U16s – in fact over half the side – have trained with the seniors throughout the pre-season, with some also joining the ranks officially.

As is his wont, Nathan’s estimation of the performances of both the Ressie’s and Seniors was overwhelmingly positive. “Good, really really good,” he says of the Seniors, and with regard to the Ressie’s, “showing great signs of improvement, keeping the ball in their forward half throughout the final quarter and showing some really positive signs.”

With their mix of experienced campaigners and raw recruits, the Ressie’s is a classic development team and one Nathan reckons will soon see reward for their effort registering on the scoreboard.

“They were definitely much more competitive this week,” Nathan says, “and that’s against the team that won the Ressies’ flag last season.”

Emma Bourke was instrumental all game, with Zoe Mikosza again effective and Liz Olney providing direction and inspiration from wherever she was needed, even taking up ruck duties at times throughout the match.

And let’s not forget Jess Chamberlain who’s now in the running – just behind that infamous St Kilda small man (whose name doesn’t deserve mention) – for the unluckiest bounce in AFL footy history when an awful swerve of the oval ball cruelled her attempt to score her first goal for the Senior Roys.

As for the Seniors, Nathan says their attack on the ball was amazing and unrelenting all game. “But having given the Magpies leeway in the early stages, the gap was just too big to make up.”

Across the ground, new recruits Sunday Brisbane, Eliza James and Simone Mooney mixed effortlessly with the wise heads and svelte ball movement of Gina Bennett, Lex Madden and Steph Pittt, with a superb all-game performance by Erin Gogerly.

Of special mention, Jade Williams slotted her first goal for the season, while Lauren ‘Jackie Fowler’ Atkinson totally negated West Brunswick’s multiple goal scorer after being given the job to stop her run.

“Let’s just say that this was one we let slip away,” says Nath. “And another one we’ll learn from and launch from.”

Next up, the Women will be heading to Brunswick Street for their ANZAC Day clash. Get around them, I can guarantee you won’t regret it!

JG Gorilla