By Dylan Smith.
A record-breaking day for Cecilia Baldassarre kicking 17 goals in East Burwood’s grand final rematch.
The Rams won in style against their rivals in Croydon North, but it was Baldassarre who stole the show with 24 scoring shots, climbing to top of the goal kicking table.
Coach Ali Rock stressed the importance of focusing on the team, but she was quick to highlight her admiration for the young star.
“She’s an exceptional player and what she can do out on that field is special. To kick 17 goals on a football field is extraordinary really,” Rock said.
As the goal tally started to tick over, the East Burwood players certainly sensed the occasion and were on the lookout for their gun forward.
“It kind of snowballed a bit, at 3qtr time, some of the girls started asking how many she’d kicked, they sensed the opportunity and I could tell they wanted to keep going and they enjoyed her moment too.”
With 39 goals across the season, she’s now leapfrogged East Ringwood’s Hayley Thompson, upping the ante from her 2022 season where she finished second on the goal kicking table, her coach highlighting her mentality and appreciation of the team that sets her apart.
“She makes the most of every entry, she knows how hard the other girls work to get the ball inside 50 so she never takes it for granted.”
The Rams have stepped up a division this year which saw them run into some high quality sides early, and an adjustment period was needed, but despite the challenge of moving up, Baldassarre has hit the ground running.
“She’s a very competitive person and she thrives in this sort of environment, the harder the games the more she rises,”
“She’s become a real leader and her game is suited to this division.”
Such is the star quality of Baldassarre, the team has tried to get her closer to the ball, moving her up the ground to and getting more involved in build up play too.
“She’s getting up the ground more this season, she’s a really good long kick so we’ve utilised that more.”
Her remarkable performance has solidified her status as one of the league’s best players and come finals time she’ll certainly be a feared proposition by opposition teams.
The Rams have a mid-season break this week before taking on Montrose.