BENDIGO THUNDER
COACH: Cherie O'Neill
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LAST YEAR: Second in VWFL premier division
ARRIVALS
The club has attracted about 25 new players, increasing the list to cater for the new development team that will play in the Northern Country Women's League.
DEPARTURES
Emma Grant, Bella Ayre, Jess Kennedy, Hayley Trevean, Sarah Last, Elise Strachan, Cassie Blakeway.
A NEW competition awaits the Bendigo Thunder in 2017.
With the Victorian Women’s Football League having disbanded as part of a women’s restructure, the Bendigo Thunder will continue in the new Northern Football League Women’s competition.
The Thunder will be among 10 teams competing in the top tier of the competition, along with Diamond Creek, Darebin Falcons, Melbourne Uni, VU Western Spurs, Kew, Deer Park, Whitehorse, Pascoe Vale and La Trobe Uni.
The Thunder will go into season 2017 without the six players from last year who have just played in the inaugural AFL Women’s competition – Emma Grant, Bella Ayre, Jess Kennedy, Hayley Trevean, Sarah Last and Elise Strachan.
However, there has been an influx of new players – among them former Bendigo Lady Braves star Andrea Walsh – to the club, which will also field a development team in the new Northern Country Women’s League.
Leah French has taken the reins as new senior captain with the departure of Grant.
The Thunder has shifted base to Weeroona Oval as its home ground, but will play four of its games at the Queen Elizabeth Oval.
Q and A with Cherie O’Neill
Q: With the AFL Women's competition now established, what do you consider your priority, winning games or giving your players the best opportunity to get drafted?
My focus is to get the most out of my players as a group and get wins on the board.
I think the development of the girls will come with the wins and opportunities will arise that are no different to the six girls who have been drafted.
It doesn't matter where the girls are playing, they will get noticed and my part as a coach is to develop the girls, get wins on the board and the rest will take care of itself.
We've got a great group together and we're looking forward to the season ahead.