By Josh Ward
After a rough first season the Surrey Park women’s side have been able to put the pieces together and have a much stronger second season.
In their first season with a senior women’s side the Panthers struggled for numbers and finished with just one win. However, this season they’ve had much more success with six wins and are set to venture into their first finals campaign.
Women’s captain Hannah Bahn recently said that despite the tough first season where they were down on players their team spirit helped them through into becoming the team that they are now.
“Having not too much pressure on us we came into this season ready to give it another crack,” Bahn said.
“We had a great injection of some of our younger players coming up from the Under 18s that gave us a young, fresh spirit to get us going again, get us excited for another season.
“And with a little bit more experience behind us we’ve really been able to find our place as a team and now in our second season all playing together it’s all come together for us.”
There’ve been plenty who’ve impressed Bahn this year, including forwards Bia Yosrungrueng and Jemma Wright.
“Bia is a little firecracker in our forward line who’s (brought) a great energy to the team.
“Jemma Wright is one of our more experienced players who keeps a level head on the field and always makes an impact on our game.”
However, despite them having good seasons alongside Bahn herself plus 2021 Surrey Park Best and Fairest Winner Emily Cumming, it’s been a real team effort.
“We’ve got such deep talent in our group this year that it honestly feels like we can chuck anyone on the field, and they’ll do the job, and they’ll do it great.
“It’s something that we’ve found really useful each week and it makes selection each week for the team very hard because we’ve always got so many girls who are up for it and who do their job for us.”
They’re not the only team at Surrey Park set to play finals, with both the men’s and reserves sides set to venture into another finals campaign. Bahn said that with that success there’s a good feeling around the Panther Pit.
“Thursday night dinner at the moment everyone’s sticking around, the vibes are up, everyone’s excited, there’s a buzz around the club having all our teams performing so well.”
“Something that Surrey Park do so well is get behind us all. We’re excited and we can’t wait to see the men finish off their season with a bang as well.”
Come Sunday in their first semi-final Bahn believes every player in their side can continue to perform, particularly some of the younger girls coming through.
“(Our younger players) have taken a little bit (of time) to find their footing in the team this year but have slowly week in, week out been getting better.
“And I think having a little bit of pressure and excitement around finals (will make them) come out and explode. I’m really excited to see what they can do.”
They’ll face off against Kilsyth in a do-or-die clash at Silvan Recreation Reserve and will be bolstered by players who didn’t play in their previous clash in Kalarni Kearns and Wright.
Having lost to them the last two times and having built up a mini rivalry with the Cougars, Bahn believes they’ll be determined to right the wrongs of their losses.
“We’re really looking forward to it, Kilsyth are a great team to play, it’s always a fair and good game, we always shake hands at the end of the game and it’s great, they’re a great bunch of women to play.
“It feels like it could be close, but obviously we hope we can step on top of it from the start of the game, but we’re excited to have another crack at them and no matter what happens it’s going to be a good one.”