BENDIGO Thunder returns to the Queen Elizabeth Oval this weekend, playing a curtain-raiser to Bendigo Gold's VFL clash against Casey Scorpions.
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Thunder takes on the St Albans Spurs from 11am on Saturday in what should be an exciting match, as our rivals have only managed two wins so far this season.
It has been an extremely tough introduction to the VWFL Premier division for Thunder this year but improvements are starting to show.
Last week we came up against Darebin Falcons, who we copped an absolute hounding off back in round two when defeated us by 47 goals.
Coach Russell Jeffery took a positive approach, saying : "If there is one thing we could possibly have up on this team, it is that they may come into the game a little complacent."
Darebin again showed us why they are the reigning premiers, but we came away feeling like the winners as we had narrowed the previous margin by 12 goals.
It was great for all the girls to see such a huge improvement in such a short time.
Thunder played its first match at the QEO in May and is looking forward to the experience again.
Last weekend was a well-earned break for Bendigo's youth girls teams after an extremely exciting and successful past couple of weeks.
The youth girls league continues to develop week by week.
After getting around to some of the girls' games, the amount of skill being displayed by some individuals and most importantly by the teams as a whole is truly outstanding.
Midway through the season, Strathfieldsaye sits atop the ladder with eight wins from nine games, ahead of Castlemaine, Kyneton and Huntly.
The battle at the top is definitely heating up, with only two losses separating the first four teams.
Eaglehawk is yet to record a win, but fingers are crossed that this will come during the second half of the season.
The leading goal kicker so far in 2014 is Briana Eyles, from Castlemaine, with 34 goals.
She is followed closely by Strathfieldsaye's Aisling Tupper on 28 goals and Madeline Sexton on 26.
The number of youth girls stepping up to play senior football with Bendigo Thunder this season has been great and continues to develop the transition into the VWFL and ensure it is a enjoyable experience.
We had another two youth girls - Chelsea Reeves of Huntly and Alyx Glanville of Echuca - make their debut with Thunder in Melbourne last Sunday against Darebin.
Grace Campbell is the AFL Victoria-Bendigo Advertiser Female Football Ambassador. Schools interested in Grace hosting a girls' football clinic can contact Tony McNamara on 0419 103 178.
