After COVID-19 cancelled 2020 VFLW season, the Bombers are making sure they enjoy being back on the field.
To act as a reminder as to why they play and to embrace the challenges of the 2021 season, the playing group has developed the hashtag #EnjoyTheRide.
The hashtag symbolises the importance of balancing the competitive nature of football with having fun, something captain Georgia Nanscawen said will be a key motivator in the team's third season.
“I guess it’s something that ‘Maj’ (head coach Brendan Major) often speaks about why we play football, and it is about enjoying the ride. We have our values but overarching that, we don’t want to lose sight of why we play, and in the end it is because we love football and we love the group,” Nanscawen said.
“We thought that if we can get that across and even in our social media posts and really show that it is something we are pushing, particularly in the lead-up to hopefully an AFLW licence, we thought it really summed up what we are about.”
Nanscawen believes it's important to have a hashtag that reflects the team’s focus as a way to unite the players and involve their supporters.
“As we’re heading towards hopefully an AFLW licence, I think that sort of hashtag really unites the group and shows everyone is using it and that we’re all across the same page,” she said.
“I think it helps provide a really united front for us going forward and lets the supporters know what we are about.”
From the opening four rounds of the season, Nanscawen can see moments on and off the field that reflect the team’s motive, whether it be celebrations within a game or having a laugh at training.
“I think we see it in glimpses when we play good footy and celebrating the moments, like ‘Nat Mac’ (Natalie MacDonald) celebrating her goals like it’s her birthday,” she said.
“We’ve made a real point to celebrate our goals, to celebrate the little wins in the group and we see it at training; we laugh, we joke, we have a good time and I think we’re developing the balance now between having that fun side but also switching on when we need to.”
The Bombers held their jumper presentation at the NEC Hangar on Tuesday night, providing the team with the opportunity to share their message to club’s staff and sponsors.
“It’s really special; obviously it (jumper presentation) was postponed due to COVID and it feels like that’s kind of been the theme for the last year and a half,” Nanscawen said.
“But to get it done tonight and to be able to celebrate, not just the immediate group but with staff and sponsors, it really feels like we are back and just looking forward to the rest of the season.”
The Bombers’ drive to enjoy their football is reflecting on the field, with the team achieving three straight wins and sitting fourth on the ladder.
“I think on the whole we are feeling pretty up and about, obviously three straight wins is very encouraging and really promising and I think we’ve really built from round one,” Nanscawen said.
“We’re looking to keeping going on that upward trajectory and I think facing the ladder leaders this weekend is a great test for where we are at.”
The clash with league leader Port Melbourne will provide the Bombers with the opportunity to test their game style and structures against the competition’s benchmark.
“Port Melbourne has been undefeated this season so it’s going to be a test for us coming off a strong win last week. We’ll be looking to play with that same confidence and freedom as we did last week,” Nanscawen said.
“We’re really looking forward to the test and to play them at home as well. I think it should be a really good game.”
The VFLW Bombers will strive to achieve four wins in a row for the first time in their history when they take on Port Melbourne at the NEC Hangar from 10:30am on Sunday.
