CASTERTON Sandford came out at full throttle in round one of the Limestone Coast AFL Women’s League, easily accounting for Penola.


With a full contingent of players and under the leadership of new coach, Darren Carlin, the Cats headed over the border to Naracoorte for their first round match,


The opening minutes saw both sides sharing the play – and that’s where the match ended for the Eagles.


With skills that even ‘pleasantly surprised’ their new coach, the Cats dominated play and maintained the vast majority of possession for the remainder of the match.


Among the Cats’ best, Libby Altorfer (BOG) and Hinemoa Biddle-Maitland were tough through the Cats’ midfield, each finding open space to run-on and deliver with great accuracy to the forwards.


In front of goals, the Eagles defenders had no answers for the Carlin sisters, Brydie and Phoebe and seasoned Cat, Chloe Finnigan, who were solid targets inside 50.


Penola’s few attempts to hit their forward line were stopped in short order by the Cats’ backs, led by Caeleigh Humphries and Chloe Smith – a second-quarter effort by Smith reminiscent of Jeremy Cameron’s one-handed chase-down and tackle of Lion Jaspa Fletcher in the day before’s AFL grand final.


Coach Carlin said while he was impressed with his charges’ efforts and development over the short pre-season, the translation to on-field performance was more than pleasing.


“I was pleasantly surprised, they have definitely got it in them,” Carlin said.


“We have started something different this year and they have taken it on board really well and learned very quickly.”


While a well-credentialled coach of boys’ and men’s football, he said he was looking forward to the season ahead with his first female footy charges.


“It’s different, love the enthusiasm they have got and the willingness to learn; I’m guessing that’s why they have come so far in such a short time,” Carlin said.


“And (on Sunday), the more tired they got, the better our skills got.


“Simply because they were out of puff, they went back to what we have been trying to teach them, make the most of every opportunity and it was impressive to watch.”


This Friday night, the Cats get their first run of the season in front of a home crowd, when they take on Nangwarry at Island Park at 6.30pm Victorian time, followed by Kybybolite and Penola at 7.45pm, with barbecue and bar shed open.


Carlin said after the weekend’s efforts, he hoped the local crowd would get behind the Cats and fill the ground on Friday night.


“They’re looking really good, working really hard, so hopefully everyone gets around them.”