There's no doubt that North Bendigo's start to the 2021 CVFLW season has been challenging for the Atkins Street outfit.
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The biggest hurdle for the Bulldogs has been emerging in the way of low roster numbers.
"It's been a very tough start to the year purely because we're still trying to get enough numbers to at least field a team each week," Bulldogs co-coach Storm Giri said.
There's been a few games so far this season where the Bulldogs have played with minimal numbers on the field.
However, that hasn't dampened the spirits of the squad.
Giri and fellow co-coach Ricky Crotty are determined to see the team progress.
"The willingness of the girls during the past four weeks has been great as they are eager to have a go at different positions around the field and do whatever they can to help the team," Giri said.
The Bulldogs (0-4) face their biggest test to date this weekend when they host an undefeated Golden Square (3-0).
"For sure the match is going to be a test," Giri said.
"If we can bring the same pressure that we did against Strathfieldsaye in round three, there's no reason why we can't show our strength to keep them to a minimum score."
Giri said Golden Square was the overall benchmark within the CVFLW.
"What Rick Ladson and the coaching staff do at Square is phenomenal," he said.
"Yes, you can have a great bunch of players, but leadership wise coaches still need to make sure their team gels.
"What they've achieved as a whole club is fantastic."
Come game time on Sunday a win for North Bendigo might be a challenge, but the team will show its strength in other departments.
"As soon as the ball hits the ground in our defensive 50 we know that we can put up a strong contest and will either kill it or apply enough pressure on our opponent to rush their scoring attempts," Giri said.
Above all, North Bendigo are just happy to be playing in the competition.
"There was a time before the season, around three months out that we were getting minimal girls to training and to be honest we really didn't know where we stood," Giri said.
"Ricky and I can't put up enough credit for this girls who stuck by us during the tough times.
"We're starting to build our team and we know there are big things for us in the future."
Meanwhile, in the other round five CVFLW matches Kyneton (2-2) hosts Eaglehawk (2-2) for the annual Pride Cup match on Saturday night.
Kangaroo Flat (2-1) are on the road on Sunday and will head north to play Kerang (0-4) for the first time.
Strathfieldsaye (3-1) will host Bendigo Thunder (3-1) at Tannery Lane on Sunday.
CENTRAL VICTORIAN WOMEN'S LEAGUE - ROUND 5
KYNETON v. EAGLEHAWK
Kyneton
B: R. Evans, M. Love, N. Korinfsky
HB: S. White
C: S. Sinclair, U. van Dyk, J. Savoia
HF: S. van Leest, S. Evans,
F: T. Ainslie, J. Schellekens, T. Overstead
R: B. Hateley, H. Erasmus, P. Turnbull
Int: R. Williams, L. Dall'Est, F. Goddard, N. Rowan, J. Davies, M. Maidment, A. Wilson
Eaglehawk
B: J. Burzacott, O. Murley, K. Horne
HB: A. Cardilini
C: R. Daley, S. Sawyer, G. Edlin
HF: G. Hyett, E. Field, E. Whiley
F: K. Shaw, H. Kenny, S. Heron
R: G. Murley, R. Thomas, S. Roberts
Int: S. Edwards-Wingrave, E. Cumming, K. Lugosi, K. Manning
STRATHFIELDSAYE v. BENDIGO THUNDER
Strathfieldsaye
B: R. Ilsley, T. Anderson, E. Christie
HB: A. Gamble
C: K. Kopp, E. Long, O. Carr
HF: J. Kopp, I. O'Rourke, G. Vozlic
F: R. Torney, T. Morrissey, M. Paech
R: A. Long, A. Tupper, M. Tupper
Int: B. Chalkley, J. Panczel, J. Jackson
Bendigo Thunder
Not supplied
NORTH BENDIGO v. GOLDEN SQUARE
North Bendigo
Not supplied
Golden Square
B: M. Williams, B. Keene, E. McLean
HB: C. McRae
C: E. Watkins, M. White, N. Tile
HF: A. Rowland, A. Wilson, E. Cochrane
F: B. Ross, L. Campbell, M. Ward
R: C. Ladson, A. Carrod, B. Heiden
Int: D. Fitzpatrick, B. Anderson, C. Ladgrove, G. Free
KERANG v. KANGAROO FLAT
Kerang
Not supplied
Kangaroo Flat
B: M. Gudge, P. Borserio, E. Bailey
HB: B. Oliver
C: S. Knoll, E. Gretgrix, S. Faulkner
HF: A. Barber, K. Mensforth, C. Green
F: M. Jones, B. Boldiston, B. Mathers
R: M. Metcalf, R. Campbell, L. McNair
Int: T. Stewart, B. O'Dwyer, A. Faulkner, L. Stephenson, D. Symes
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