GEELONG Falcons coach Paul Corrigan is confident his team will be better for the experience despite suffering a 49-point loss to Dandenong Stingrays to open the new NAB League Girls season.
The Falcons, who played in last year’s grand final, unveiled 13 debutants in the 10.10 (70) to 3.3 (21) defeat.
It was the biggest loss since the Falcons girls team was formed in 2017.
“Our girls got to see Dandenong play the way they did,” Corrigan said.
“And for a learning experience, and to educate to see what a NAB League game’s like, was really beneficial.
“The first half, they were probably a little bit shellshocked in the way Dandenong came out.
“I thought in the second half we really matched them.”
Father-daughter AFLW draft prospect Makenzie McGrath, who turned 18 last week, impressed in defence after a broken nose cut her 2021 season short.
The daughter of former Geelong and North Melbourne key defender Tim, McGrath had 15 disposals, took five marks and laid three tackles.
“She took a lot of strong intercept marks down there and competed really well one-on-one,” Corrigan said.
Debutant Grace Purcell, the sister of former Falcon and current Melbourne AFLW player Olivia, also produced an eye-catching performance with 14 disposals at half-forward.
“She was just fantastic in the contest, competing all day for us and bringing the ball to ground,” Corrigan said.
Captain Charlotte Simpson also worked hard with 18 disposals and six tackles, as did co-vice-captain Ash van Loon with 12 disposals and six tackles.
While Lizzie Dowling, who was surprisingly overlooked in last year’s AFLW Draft and has returned as a 19-year-old, relished a new role up forward with two goals.
“After playing across half-back all last year, she’s been really open to it, which has been awesome,” Corrigan said.
“She will just keep getting better as she learns to play that forward role.
“She gave us a target, and if we can get that out of her each week, I think it’s something different the recruiters can have a look at.”
On Saturday, the Falcons will travel to Bendigo’s Epsom Huntly Recreation Reserve for a match-up with the Murray Bushrangers.
Vice-captain Mia van Dyke will make her first appearance of the season, while Sienna Mallon and Sophie Mahar are in contention to debut.
Twitter: @tom_king79
