Sport
20 May, 2024
Carisbrook secure famous comeback win
Football always has its moments of turning points. For the Carisbrook Lady Redbacks, that day may well have been Sunday afternoon when they came from behind to defeat an in-form, but admittedly undermanned, Bacchus Marsh team, flying high in third...
Football always has its moments of turning points.
For the Carisbrook Lady Redbacks, that day may well have been Sunday afternoon when they came from behind to defeat an in-form, but admittedly undermanned, Bacchus Marsh team, flying high in third position on the ladder, to take their first victory of the season.
A three-goal to one last quarter meant the Lady Redbacks were able to turn around a seven-point deficit and finished full of running as they made the most of their opportunities to seal a terrific victory — and their highest score since their return to the competition with it.
The opening quarter was fast-paced and competitive, with Carisbrook kicking two of the first three goals and eventually taking a two-point lead into the first change.
Carisbrook had the scoring end in the second quarter, but Bacchus Marsh did a good job of holding them out while the Lady Redbacks had the better of the play, before a quick kick out of a pack from Jade Cameron allowed the Lady Redbacks to lead by six points at the main break.
Carisbrook dominated the third qurarter, and had much of the play, but Bacchus Marsh were able to finish off the quarter strongly, kicking a goal to put their noses in front by a point at the final change.
When the Cobras kicked the first goal of the final term, they looked every bit like winners. Tell that to the 2024 iteration of the Lady Redbacks, who were determined to keep fighting until the end. Shelley Feilding kicked a goal to put the Lady Redbacks in front, before another two goals meant the game was sealed for their first win of the season.
Grace Brady put in a dazzling performance across the midfield, with her run and carry a feature of the game, while Olivia Butler buzzed around the packs, finishing with two goals.
Tiani Jardine, Anika Munn, Julianne Baldock and Cameron were also named in the best players throughout the balance of the afternoon.
An ecstatic Carisbrook co-coach Steve Atkinson couldn’t hold his joy at scoring the victory.
“We beat Bacchus Marsh last year, but be that as it may, they had recruited and we knew that. But the improvement in the girls’ football is nothing but phenomenal,” he said.
“They have come from humble beginnings last year, slugged it out and won a game. To win this game so early in the season shows the development and the credit to the girls and how hard they have been working to be successful.
“To score this win early, and have home matches against Lake Wendouree and East Point, we now know that we are competitive enough to have belief to win those games.”
Atkinson said he wanted to keep the message simple for the final term charge.
“My message at three-quarter-time was a simple one — belief. They’ve come so far and trained. The belief is massive, and the unity is nothing short of amazing,” he said.
“I’m super-proud of them and they got through on their own back through pure grit and their belief in themselves and the team as a unit.
“The recruitment we’ve done — the new girls we’ve brought in have developed so quickly and so early, which is a massive credit to them. Their addition to this side is going to go a long way.
“If we keep building on this, we’re going to be competitive for years to come.
“Girls’ footy is healthy, and that’s the big thing we want to be proud of — not just in Carisbrook, but the whole district of Maryborough, to be proud of what we’re doing here.”
It was something that was echoed by Carisbrook captain Caitlin Butler.
“I’m proud of the girls, the way we are starting to play and the structure. We’re starting to learn to play as a team and learn how to play footy together,” she said.
“All the little extra efforts and the little moments, good things happened from that.
“We knew they had improved from last year, but we know we have improved as well. To go out there and beat them again is great.”
Atkinson singled out the efforts of Brady, Jardine, Olivia and Caitlin, as well as Munn.
“Grace Brady’s pace through the middle is unbelievable, Tiani Jardine plays a beautiful game of footy, Olivia Butler played a pearler, and Anika Munn is always a burner through the middle,” he said.
“Our last 10-15 minutes of football was a credit to our leaders, Caitlin Butler and Anika. Their on-field presence in the last 10 minutes — they knew [the game needed to be won], and their leadership was outstanding.
“You put certain people in leadership roles, some thrive, and some take a while to get it. I have a bunch of girls that get it, so it’s easy for me.”
Carisbrook now enters a Friday night home match against East Point, something the club is very excited to trial.
“We are trialling a Friday night game, so it’ll be not just a good opportunity for the people of Carisbrook, but the whole district to come out,” Atkinson said.
“Even if there’s a girl out there thinking about playing football, it’s a good opportunity to come out to the rooms, have a look and if they’re interested in playing football, they get a good look to see what it’s all about.”
It’s a message that is echoed by Caitlin.
“The support means a lot — all our families and everyone who comes down for a look. Friday under lights is exciting and hopefully we get a few others come down and have a look and see what we’re about,” she said.
