TIM MILLER
Things just keep getting better for the Calder Cannons girls.
Two weeks ago, they earned the inaugural TAC Cup Women’s premiership after going through the season unbeaten with a percentage of above 400- have now had eight players picked to represent Vic Metro in the upcoming U18 Women’s Championships.
Skipper Lauren Caruso, Monique Conti, Eleanor Cornish, Sarah Dargan, Georgia Patrikios, Madison Prespakis, Carla Rendelmann and Molly Warburton have all been selected in Vic Metro’s initial 31-player squad.
Cannons coach Jason Peak said he was confident all eight would don the light blue Vic Metro’s first match against Vic Country in June.
“It [selection] is a testament to their work ethic across the year and in the pre-season,” Peak, who will continue to mentor the girls as an assistant coach for Metro, told Cannons media.
“There’s almost more players selected in the side than not, which is a terrific result for our club.
“Certainly, based on what we’ve seen this season, I’d expect all the girls to be right in the mix for selection.”
Conti has already attracted headlines as one of Victoria’s brightest young sporting stars, with the women’s premiership and subsequent Vic Metro selection the latest in a long line of accolades that include the 2016-17 Women’s National Basketball League rookie of the year.
And while the 17-year old midfielder will continue to juggle playing top-level football and basketball for the foreseeable future, Peak believes she’s up for the challenge.
“Certainly from a performance standpoint, I don’t think she has any trouble coping with it at all,” Peak said.
“On the footy field she’s really coming along quickly- and we all know what she’s like at basketball.
“She’s played both this year, so the key will be to not overload her, but I’ve got no doubt she can continue to play both.”
Caruso led the Cannons to an unbeaten season in the TAC Cup Women’s, and is an early candidate for the Metro captaincy as well, and Peak believes she would be ideal for the top gong again.
“We were really happy with Lauren’s work as captain this year,” Peak said.
“I’m sure that once Vic Metro see her in action over the coming weeks, they’ll seriously consider adding her to at least their leadership group.”
After heading to Simonds Stadium for their clash with Vic Country on June 17, Metro will head to the Gold Coast in July for three matches against teams from Queensland, NSW/ACT and Western Australia.
But if their efforts in the TAC Cup are anything to go by, the challenge of playing against some of the brightest young prospects from across the country won’t faze the Cannons’ contingent.
Last Modified on 04/05/2017 20:16