THE last two times the Greater Western Victorian Rebels have suited up against the Geelong Falcons in the NAB Girls League, there weren't too many positives to come out of the matches, with the Rebels suffering two beltings.
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But despite a loss in Sunday's opening round of the season, this time, there was plenty of cause for optimism, with the young Rebels squad taking it right up to the highly fancied opponents.
In the end a 5.9 (39) to 4.4 (28) loss did not do justice to a team which lead at half-time and found themselves less than a kick down with only minutes on the clock.
Head coach David Loader was beaming with pride at the end of the match, saying the team had shown a remarkable capacity to adapt and play their best football.
"Geelong got quite a strong squad and we were only a couple of points away at three-quarter-time," he said. "There were plenty of opportunities as well. I though the girls were really good, but their effort and their ability to play the game out was sensational."
The Rebels debuted seven new players. Of the new players, Loader talked up the game of Molly Walton who played across half-back. He also highlighted the leadership of co-captains Chloe Leonard and Lilli Condon.
"We had a lot of good players and I'm sure the girls will take a lot of heart out of that," Loader said.
"I was talking to some of the Geelong officials after the game and they were saying they had a strong squad this year. We're right in the mix. Who knows, the bounce of the ball goes differently and things might have been different.
Loader said above all, just being out on the park again was the best part of the day. "It's just great to be able to play football again. As a coaching group, we're absolutely rapt, there were lots of smiles in the rooms afterwards.
"We've got a couple of things to work on, and we'll get to training Wednesday and do just that and prepare for Bendigo next week."
