The race for finals in the VWFL Premier Division came to a thrilling climax on Sunday, with the two remaining positions decided by margins of less than a goal each.
With St Kilda, Eastern Devils and Melbourne Uni competing for the two remaining finals places, it was always going to be heartbreak for one side. Despite coming so close, it’s the Eastern Devils who will this week be licking their wounds after dropping from third to fifth and out of the finals in the last home and away round for 2015.
Bess Keaney looks at how the final four was decided.
St Kilda v Eastern Devils
St Kilda Sharks booked themselves a place in the finals following a tight win over the Eastern Devils at home on Sunday.
Despite having trailed at every break, the Sharks 11.9 (75) overcame the Devils 10.10 (70), edging them out of finals on percentage.
Both teams were strong out of the blocks, with Kendra Heil and Sarah D’Arcy making life hard for the home side. The Devils kicked four goals two to lead by five points at the first break.
Buoyed by the return of Brianna Davey the Sharks moved the ball well, but continued to trail the Devils in a tight second and third quarter, and were behind by 12 points at three quarter time.
Enter young gun Brit Bonnici, whose two final term goals put the Sharks within a goal midway through the final quarter. It was then up to Mo Hope, the competition’s leading goal-kicker, to slot through her 66th for the season, edging the Sharks in front of the Devils and into the finals.
The real heartbreak for the Devils didn’t come until after the match, however, with news of Melbourne Uni’s upset win. The Devils, sitting in third place before the final round, dropped to fifth and out of contention in the most heartbreaking of fashions.
Melbourne Uni v Diamond Creek
Melbourne Uni put it all on the line to prevail in a thriller against Diamond Creek at home on Sunday, shoring up a third-placed finals berth.
The home side 9.8 (62) edged out the second-placed Creekers 9.7 (61) by the narrowest of margins, and slid a game clear into third place.
The Mugars came out strong, kicking five goals in a big first quarter that saw them lead by 18 points at the first break.
Diamond Creek recovered slightly to trail by eleven points at half time, and following a big third quarter were up by three points at the final break.
The Mugars dug deep to keep themselves alive, and were able to hit targets when it mattered most, slotting two straight goals in the final term to edge themselves in front.
The win was essential for the Mugars to finish in the top four, while a loss would have seen them finish fifth on percentage – an unenviable fate now bestowed upon the Eastern Devils.
Darebin v VU
Darebin Falcons have proven once again that they will be the side to beat come finals time, prevailing over VU St Albans at home on Sunday.
The home side came out hard early, and weren’t seriously troubled on the scoreboard. The Spurs moved the ball well though, and performances from Bree White and Ashleigh Guest gave the western girls much to be optimistic about for season 2016.
It was an admirable end to the Spurs season, narrowing the margin on their round 14 loss by forty points.
Meanwhile, the Falcons will need to put in a few tough weeks on the track to get the job done this finals campaign, as they come up against three hungry sides in Diamond Creek, Melbourne Uni and St Kilda.
CLICK HERE to view week 1 of the Premier Division finals
Last Modified on 24/08/2015 21:03