Coburg Lions getting ready to roar

Despite the unknown, “excitement” is the feeling at the Coburg Lions ahead of their VAFA debut against Melbourne Uni Women’s later today. 

With 130 years of history, Coburg Football Club has further strengthened women’s football in the VAFA and adds to the strong presence of VAFA women’s football teams in the northern suburbs including Therry Penola, West Brunswick, Brunswick and North Brunswick.

Speaking with Lucy Watkin and Sophie Welsh on the VAFA Women’s podcast, Inside the Boundary, senior coach Tom Chitsos is looking forward to this weekends season opener “It’s definitely an exciting time, also a bit of an unknown… We’ve had three fantastic practice matches to really prepare us for this weekend and looking forward to getting our first taste of it.” he said. 

Transferring from the South Eastern Women’s Football League, the club has entered two teams into the VAFA competition this season.

They’re expecting to enter a ring of fire knowing they’ve got a reputation to uphold, as well as understanding the strength of the William Buck Premier Women’s competition.

“We know the quality of the VAFA and it’s definitely going to be a jump for us so that’s exciting and going straight to William Buck Premier is a fantastic challenge to see how we compete.”

The club has been able to hold onto a strong, core group of its playing group throughout the transition of leagues. Including winger and leadership group member Claire Cashman, Isabella Hayes has taken her game to another level in the off-season as well as veteran defender Dacia Abela.

Whilst at the same time welcoming another 15-20 new girls to the squad adding to the depth of the Lions. Natalie Todaro, Kiana Minchin, Soma Griffin and Williamstown VFLW listed player Malaya Rodezno are some of the new faces to be pulling on a Lions guernsey. 

Opening the season, the VAFA’s newest club face off against the oldest women’s team with Chitsos mindful of the opposition and the talents of the MUWFC, in particular host of Inside the Boundary, Lucy Watkin.

“She (Lucy) definitely on the powerpoint slides” Chitsos said jovially. 

“We’re well aware of Melbourne Uni and they’re a force in the competition.” he continued. 

Melbourne Uni Women’s vs. Coburg Lions will be played at Melbourne Uni Oval on this afternoon – The first bounce at 2:00 PM. 

The exclusive KommunityTV live stream double header will kick off with the reserves fixture before the seniors take the field at 2pm.

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