When Gabbi D'Ambros put her hand up to help out coaching the Services first grade side, it was supposed to be just until they found someone more permanent.
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"I didn't want to play first grade and was just going to play seconds," she said.
"Because I'm not playing first grade I thought I'd fill the gap while we were looking."
But nothing came of that, and so on Sunday D'Ambros found herself in the dug out calling the shots as the Tamworth women's first grade competition hit off.
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It was a winning start for the rookie coach with Services slotting three unanswered second half goals to beat Tudor Wests 4-1.
D'Ambros couldn't have been happier with what she saw, the win a promising start after a tough season last year.
She said they will be a bit of a different-looking side this season with a few younger players stepping up to the top grade. She was really pleased with how they went on Sunday but across the board thought they "played pretty well".
The coaching role isn't that big a jump for the 21-year old. She's done a lot of coaching at junior level and has coached Services' second grade side for the past few years.
"I didn't play last year at all, just coached, and I really loved coaching," she said.
The coaching role isn't that big a jump for the 21-year old. She's done a lot of coaching at junior level and has coached Services' second grade side for the past few years.
"I didn't play last year at all, just coached, and I really loved coaching," she said.
Greg Doolan is helping her out, for the time being at least, and with his experience and expertise will be a valuable sounding board while she finds her feet.
Asked what the difference was in the second half, D'Ambros replied their defence. Not only in holding Tudors out but working their way out of defence, which is something they have struggled with in recent seasons.
"We found a bit more structure in defence and then it just happened going forward," she said.
In the earlier games, Madie Cryer netted a hat-trick to spark reigning premiers Waratahs to a 4-2 win over South United, and Amelia Kearney and Annabel Dalzell found the back of the net as Olympians defeated Flames 2-nil.
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