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Words and images By Craig Stockdale
Being the only female outfit in the competition, NTC have to earn the respect of their competition week in and week out. Once again, they were up to the challenge and showed how they can soak up the physical and mental pressure applied by the boys and certainly deliver their own in response – Girl Power at its best!
NTC opened up with Beth Mason-Jones guarding the goal line ably supported by Bella Scott, Maddie Stockdale, Alex Natoli and Steph Catley in defense. In the engine room were Kate Fatopoulos, Zoe Stamatopoulos and Phoebe Parker looking to distribute to the vivacious forwards of Dani Gudelj, Edita Mackaj and Giulia Sepe.
The early pace of the game was frenetic with some wonderful skills on display from both teams across the pitch. It is the speed and pressure applied by the boys that provide the necessary development and reasoning behind why the NTC participate in this competition. Physical but fair tackling from both sides kept ‘Referee Frank’ on his toes during the entire match and the respect from both teams was evident from the beginning.
Very quickly the Bulleen boys pushed forward with NTC defending strongly to thwart several early attempts on goal. At the 6 minute mark an exchange of bullet like passes saw a richoted ball land at the feet of a Bulleen midfielder who volleyed the resultant kick over the outstretched hands of keeper Mason-Jones to register the first major of the evening. First blood to the boys – 1 nil.
NTC responded positively with several forward plays backed by some strong body work from Zoe Stamatopoulos and Phoebe Parker and deft footskills from Kate Fotopoulos and Steph Catley. Dani Gudelj, Julia Sepe and Edita Mackaj lifted their work rate but Bulleen were able to circumvent each attack from the NTC.
At the 12 minute mark, a passage of play from Bulleen through the midfield opened up a rather opportunistic and bold chance for a long range shot (taken from about 45 yards) – and sure enough the Bulleen strike was an extraordinary one offering little to no chance for Mason-Jones to deflect the kick. Bulleen raced to 2 goals to nil lead and were looking very dangerous.
The NTC defensive line of Bella Scott, Maddie Stockdale, Alex Natoli and Steph Catley were constantly under pressure from the barrage of forward movements by Bulleen. This is exactly what the NTC team are being drilled to absorb – pressure through possession style football because this is what is expected of future players competing at W League and International Level. This style of play is very different to the long bombing strategies from defense deployed by many WPL teams and will not yield the best of breed players the NTC stands to develop.
The possession style of football the NTC are deploying is in line with the national curriculum that has been seeded by the FFA in both the FFV’s VCL and state competitions. As contentious as it is, this technique of play will require players to be willing to take possession under extreme pressure, learn how to play the ball out from defense in a systematic way and be willing to accept that this style of play will harbour mistakes. It is only through making such mistakes that progress can be made and better players will emerge from the program. Decision making is critical – and women are much better at making decisions as we all know…..
The half time whistle sounds and although the NTC are 2 nil down, they can hold their heads high providing a strong and skilful display right across the pitch for all to witness. With renewed vigour and the addition of some fresh legs through keeper Tori, Lucy Kennedy, Zoe Corbett and Alyssia Blewonski the NTC again utilised their bodies well to deny the opposition early chances and attack the ball.
Eventually Bulleen were able to create some space around the right wing and through a precise cross to the top of the box, scored their third goal for the evening from a very nice piece of play. Well done boys as all in sundry applauded their game style and the way they had approached the game against the NTC women.
As mentioned previously, respect is earned and by the end of the match, there was no doubt the NTC had earned the respect of the Bulleen boys – the style of play, competitiveness, aggression and skillful display of football were foremost on display – in fact the way Football should be played…..
Congratulations to both teams on providing a spectacle that had everyone talking in a very positive manner from the sidelines at the end of the evening.