By: Tash Gunawardana
BAYSWATER women’s co-captain Zoe Alston became the first female to play 100 games for the club on the weekend, coincidentally on the same day her side won their first game of the season, defeating reigning premier Vermont by 17 points in Premier Division.
Alston shared the 100-game milestone with 2017 premiership teammates Catie Wilson and Heather McMillan who clocked up 50 games.
“It was very good to have these kind of people by my side and to not have the attention being on me,” Alston said.
“Playing my 100 games alongside them made it even more amazing to run out with them.
“To have the day be all about us was even better.”
Alston is surprised to be the first female to notch up the 100-game milestone at Bayswater.
“There were sort of other players who were up there with me, but I played all of my senior games with Bayswater so I guess to be the first one has been amazing,” she said.
Alston says that being the co-captain of Bayswater is “very rewarding, captaining with one of my best friends”, alongside Catie Wilson.
“We (have) played footy together for 10 years now and in a way a lot of the girls mean a lot to me.
“So being the captain it makes it more fun and enjoyable.”
Alston says the feeling at the club amongst the women’s team is positive and upbeat.
“We just kind of go with the attitude that we’ve got nothing to lose,” Alston said.
“There’s a lot of girls who are still trying to bond with each other and playing in new positions.
“We always go out with the desire to win, but we go out with a very good attitude and we are never really salty if we lose.
“But that’s the main thing we try to achieve is good bonding and no negativity if we do come across and lose.”
Alston has accomplished much in her career including playing representative football for Victoria, and starring for Bayswater in the 2017 Deakin University Eastern Region women’s grand final win, claiming the Blue Ribbon Medal for best on ground.
“I think I have played in five (grand finals) and lost all of them and in the 2017 season it was the first one I had ever won,” she said.
“It was with a bunch of amazing girls and I think generally that has been the highlight of my whole playing career.”
The vibe amongst the women’s team has not changed much despite the team not playing in the finals since the 2017 flag.
“We have a lot of older girls in our team, so the main thing we just try to do is accommodate for them because a lot of them are mums and stuff,” Alston said.
“As far as I am aware a lot of us will be sticking around and a lot of us are working hard at training and stuff to try and get a premiership in a couple of years.
“I think it’s very rewarding.
“Women’s footy has grown so much so far, now that there’s so many different opportunities and it’s really nice that everyone is sort of getting on board, so it makes it more enjoyable.”
Looking ahead, Alston is looking for small improvements.
“I guess our goal is we sort of have to start small and try to get a few more wins on the board, so that’s the main thing,” she said.
“Also try to click together and try not to lose as many good players like we did in previous years and hopefully we can recruit a few more players if a few do drop off.”
The Bayswater football club as a whole is tracking well on and off the field.
“We are affiliated with the boys and every Thursday night we all go up and have dinner together and listen to team selection,” Alston said.
“Also we have quite a lot of functions across the year.
“We’ve got a new coach and he is doing awesome, so across the club, the club is doing well.”
For the Bayswater women’s team, there are many more player milestones to look forward to.
“We actually have five more girls who are playing their 50th (and 100th) games this season, so that’s pretty exciting,” Alston said.
The players include Monique Hewish and Bronte Rowlands playing 50 games in Round 7, Erin Chamberlain playing 100 games in Round 9, Gee Bolt playing 50 games in Round 12 and Grace Rogers playing 100 games in Round 14.