Fitness a strong base for talent

September 15 2008

Shepparton News

Georgia Oudeman's first season of North Eastern Soccer League has ended in a resounding win in the women's best and fairest after the 18-year-old took out the women's league vote count on Saturday.

Oudeman polled two votes in round one then followed it with four straight best-on-ground performances for Cobram Victory to open a lead she never relinquished.

Shepparton United's league-leading scorer Jess Theobald polled 28 votes to finish seven behind 35-vote Oudeman, while Shepparton's Suzan Tanrikulu finished third on 21.

Oudeman's fitness and stamina allowed the defender to move freely up the field in the women's league this season, where she went on to lead her club's goal scoring.

The match which typified Oudeman's play as much as any other was Victory's 3-2 win against Shepparton South in round 14 where she scored two goals from almost the halfway line.

``It was a great win for the team and a real turning point that gave us confidence to finish out the year,'' she said.

``I've loved this season, particularly with 21 rounds and plenty of games.''

Despite Victory's women missing the finals, Oudeman said her young teammates _ all teenagers _ had a bright future.

Oudeman played women's state premier league with Eltham North last season, but said a decision on where she would play next year hinged on her Year 12 results.

``I've got some important exams coming up and I won't be making any decisions until everything is finished,'' she said.

Kyabram's Anna Campanelli was the surprise packet of the vote count, polling 20 votes to finish equal fourth with Cobram's Clorinda Iannucci.

Other pre-count fancies, Samantha McIntosh of Shepparton and Imogen Head of United, finished equal sixth on 17, while last year's winner Derya Tanrikulu poled 16 votes from her 13 games.