DESPITE not having the numbers to field an A Grade side in 2021, the Lakers soldiered on and finished on a high, with two sides, B Grade and Under-17, making the finals.
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But for Taylors Lake president, Tammy McDonald, returning to play again after the cancellation of the 2020 season was the biggest win.
"The fact that we did get to play was a big highlight. To be able to get out there this year, even though we only got to play 11 games means it's more than the wins and the losses when you get out there, it's the social environment," she said.
"Everybody just wanted to come back together.
"Those that play for Taylors Lake love the club, love the family environment and they just wanted to spend their Saturdays around those people again, which we didn't get to do."
The Lakers' B Grade outfit certainly showed their delight in being back, shooting out of the blocks after a year off and winning their first four matches of the year, before a loss to eventual minor premiers Kalkee ended their streak.
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Similarly, the Taylors Lake Under-17 squad also won their first four matches of the year, with both sides setting the foundation that, in any other year, would help the teams go deep into September.
Both the B Grade and Under-17 sides put on strong performances from there, with the Under-17s only other loss coming to second-placed Pimpinio on their way to a final against Natimuk United.
Meanwhile, Taylors Lake B Grade just came up short against Harrow-Balmoral, Noradjuha-Quantong - both top three sides - to set up a final, also against Natimuk.
The finalists were shining lights in an intense, disrupted season according to McDonald, who said that the disruptions due to COVID-19 lockdowns made it hard for clubs to function as normal.
Volunteers was one issue clubs had to face, with another being a whole lot more rules surrounding home games for clubs.
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"There was a lot more work involved in putting the games on this year, especially with the COVID regulations. I think people had found that there were things other than football and netball, so some of the volunteer base was dropped off a bit this year," she said.
"It was hard. There was a bit more stress this year with the running of clubs."
Despite the difficulties, and being unable to field the same amount of teams as usual, Taylors Lake has forged ahead and had two teams make the finals, in a sign of a bright future at Dock Lake Reserve.
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