Eagles on a roll against Nathalia

Mansfield Eagles Women v the Nathalia’s READ all about it folks. In five weeks of pre-season training and five games, the Mansfield Eagles Women’s Team has improved considerably. How have they done it? Well, let me tell you a story and I’ll start with a metaphor as I quite like them. And the metaphor is – “Starting a club can be likened to rolling a heavy rock." Invariably the rock that needs to roll will not be found sitting atop a hill. More likely it’s at the bottom and not exactly a round one. Then starts the talk. “That rock should be rolling", “Why isn’t that rock rolling already?”, “Why doesn’t Mansfield have a rolling rock and other towns have one, rolling rocks are great, they bring people together and enliven us?" Then Susan says, “The kids need a rolling rock; without a rolling rock, we will have to take them to another town, and roll their rock." “Will anyone help me roll it?” “I will help!” says the junior’s boss whose plate is already fuller than a sumo’s sock. “I will sponsor you,” says Jenny of the District Property Group, “you shall have jumpers and footballs, they will help it roll.” “If you train to roll rocks, they will roll infinitely better,” says Cam and, next thing you know, training tops are on their way from MFD Printing and Embroidery. “It’s a hazardous game at times,” recognises Peta Donnell, “I will be there as trainer and care giver to all and donate the unmatched luxury of a one-hour sauna and magnesium bath session at the magnificent Greenvale Holiday Units, each and every week to a well deserving player." “I love footy,” says Christie, so each week an extremely lucky player shall have a voucher for Home @ ALPINE to spend. “That’ll help ‘em roll it.” And so it goes. Some generous sponsors, some selfless contributions of time, skill and unrivalled diplomatic intervention from volunteers and the rock starts rolling. Now, along its journey (the rock’s), some three weeks ago and over two hours’ drive from home against last year’s league runner-up, it may have appeared the rock was only just, barely rolling as the Nathalia’s trounced the Eagles (8:5:53 to Eagles 3:0:18. That’s 13 shots on goal to three). In a strange fixture for eight teams, but nevertheless the way it was, just three weeks later, last Sunday, the Eagles played the Nathalia’s again as reported here and triumphed. 5:11:41 to the Nathalia’s 5:3:33. That’s 16 shots on goal to eight, Eagles’ way this time. And if you’d like to learn how exactly they’re doing it…who the dominant midfielders complementing each other so well are? Who the young stars training so well and growing so much in their ability each week are? How those tall targets are lighting up the forward line so well? Who are the mothers of one and the mothers of two (or three), so new to the game but so aware and knowing what to do? And I’ve a feeling, a sneaking suspicion that this Sunday will be their day. Where the two new players came from, who broke from their slow burn work habit, to ignite their teammates? Who those fitness gurus are who are making the Eagles’ backline just granite-like? Who’s the Merton Flash and the eight stone Shai Bolton? Who are their selfless team-mates surprising themselves and the opposition each week? And how they all go about it? Well then, you’re going to have to come and watch. Or better still, help roll that rock, as it still isn’t round, and is still on a slight incline and is still hard work. Nevertheless, next Sunday it rolls again against Rumbalara in Shepparton and the one after that, against Tatura in the Mansfield area. It also rolls at 6pm on Wednesday nights at the Mansfield Rec Reserve and 6pm on Fridays at the Bonnie Doon Rec Reserve where all are welcome to join in. Look forward to seeing you there. Special thanks to Danny Brown for opening the clubrooms as well as your patient and pleasant assistance that helped us all have such a great afternoon. Go Eagles.