IT might be a shorter turnaround than usual, but Gippsland Power Girls Gameday Operations Coordinator Chelsea Caple is excited about the possibilities. The Power were spread out across their satellite programs prior to Christmas as a way of minimising travel ahead of what is always a hefty schedule for the south east Victorian NAB League Girls club.

“The girls have been training twice a week on Mondays and Fridays in satellites based on their location,” Caple said. “We’re trying to reduce travel in preseason because obviously in season it gets pretty hectic. “It’s been really good, we’ve had a couple of sessions rained out and obviously some COVID hiccups, but aside from that it’s been really good.”

The first round kicks off on January 22, with Power taking on GWV Rebels at LaTrobe University, Bundoora. The start is much earlier than in previous seasons, but Caple believed the club had prepared well both on and off the field for the change.

“I actually think from an organisation perspective we’re handling it quite well,” Caple said. “We’ve obviously been doing the sessions twice a week and we’ll go back quite early after Christmas in preparation for the games. “But it will be really good for the girls separated from the boy’s season and to be playing in-line with the excitement of AFLW. “I think it’s a really positive step forward from the NAB League and hopefully works quite well.”

Last season the Power capped off the year with their first win, a memorable one-point victory over Bendigo Pioneers at Trevor Barker Oval. It was a reward for effort for the young side who had battled competitively at times, but the penultimate round brought about the first points of the season. It was a memorable day for the playing group.

“I think for the girls, it was really good, it lifted their spirits,” Caple said. “Our very last game was against Oakleigh being the powerhouse that they are. “So to be able to have a win in that and our group come together was really positive.

“We’ve got six 2003 girls, coming back from that team. “We really hope that they’ll bring their experience and leadership and be able to influence the young ones coming into the team.”

Caple described the list as a mix of players with a “diverse range of experience”. Having struggled for numbers at times last season – particularly later in the season – the Power are quite buoyant about the numbers heading into 2022.

“Definitely excited just with the depth of our list,” Caple said. “Obviously last year with COVID and just girls dropping off throughout the season, we did struggle. “It’s really exciting and promising to have girls new to the program, but also some girls returning that have gone away, worked on their skills, developed and then came back working really well with the team. “We’ve got more depth which is exciting, we’re still young, but I think it will be a really good experience here for them.”

From a list perspective, Lily-Rose Williamson and Yasmin Duursma earned a place in the Vic Country hub. Caple said the squad had been training well over the preseason, with the latter in particular stepping up over the off-season.

“Yasmin Duursma’s been training really well at the satellite Wonthaggi,” she said. “She was really new to the sport a couple of years ago, and we’re just seeing her athleticism matched with her game, and understanding for what she can apply her athleticism and other sports into football. “She’s doing a really good job with that.”

Caple is also excited about some of the youth coming through the program across multiple satellites, but was looking forward to bringing them all together and getting stuck into games.

“We’ve got some younger ones that have been coming up,” Caple said. “In our Garfield satellite we’re really excited to have some girls that are very new to the squad. “They’ve been training well there, as well as some quite young ones in Churchill.”

The Power take on the Rebels on Saturday, January 22 at LaTrobe University, Bundoora from 1pm. Their first home game will be the following week against the Dandenong Stingrays at Churchill Recreation Reserve on Saturday, January 29 from midday.