COACHES: Matt West and Taleah Dolic
ARRIVALS: Chelsea Humphrey, Ruby Pollock, Corinne Best, Shamar Matson, Liana Gale
DEPARTURES: Mel Politis, Grace Walker
WHEN SWFL teams play Cardross in 2023, they know they will be competing against a hard tackling and close-knit team.
That’s the belief of co-coach Matt West, who is optimistic the Lions will progress from last season’s results.
Cardross finished fourth in 2022 but were easily accounted for by Nangiloc in their elimination final.
Some new faces and a fresh injection of enthusiasm however could push the Lions forward, headlined by the return of Chelsea Humphrey.
The former Williamstown VFLW player and member of Bendigo Pioneers coaching staff is back as a playing assistant coach.
West is also bullish about the prospect of former Red Cliffs junior Ruby Pollock and ex-Robinvale Euston netballer Corinne Best.
“Corrine is the happiest person on the track when she’s out there and we know she’s been top netballer and basketballer, but she’s taken to footy pretty quickly,” he said.
“Ruby is only 15 but I don’t think I’ve seen anyone at her age pick up the game as well as she has.
“She still has some work to do to improve her kicking, but I also don’t think I’ve seen too many people tackle as well as she does.”
West admitted the young side are an unknown quantity heading into the five-team season.
“I’m confident we’ll be competitive but also realistic that we’ve still got some improvement in us,” he said.
“We’re really just hoping to build on last year.
“Werrimull and Bambill will definitely be the benchmark but we hope we’ll be around the mark of finals.
“We’re developing our players as we go but we’re building a close-knit team and I reckon when others see they’re playing Cardross, they know we’ll tackle hard and work as a close-knit team.”
