TEENAGER Katelyn Hazlett was a shining light for the Bendigo Thunder in its 32-point loss to Diamond Creek in the Northern Football League Women's competition on Sunday.

In the first match of the season-proper following four grading games, the Thunder, who look set for a testing year ahead in the top division, were beaten 4.14 (38) to 1.0 (6) at Weeroona Oval.

Hazlett, 16 from Swan Hill, was the best player for the Thunder, whose only goal was kicked by Brianna Burt.

"The girls worked really hard over the four quarters," Thunder coach Luis Alvarez-Harris said.

"We kept Diamond Creek goal-less in the second and third quarters and won one of the quarters, which was good given it's all about development for this group.

"We had some more girls playing their first games of football today, so it's baby steps this year and we're just trying to tick as many boxes as we can in quarters.

"The girls brought plenty of intensity and pressure, but we couldn't get the score on the board."

In what's an inexperienced Thunder squad, the team was buoyed by the inclusion of Richmond VFLW-listed Sarah Last, who played at full-back and through the midfield and was one of the side's best players.

The Thunder take on Montmorency next Sunday.

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MATCH DETAILS

Bendigo Thunder 1.0 (6) lt Diamond Creek 4.14 (38).

Goals - B. Burt.

Best - K. Hazlett, S. Last, S. Barker, J. Sawers, A. Bailey-McClanahan.

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