NEWTOWN & Chilwell coach Jacob Spolding said wasted opportunities in the third term led to the qualifying final loss to St Joseph's on Saturday.
Five unanswered goals in the second quarter brought the Eagles within two goals at the main break.
They then dominated the play in the third period, however didn't make the most of their chances with 3.6 to 3.1 before the Joeys claimed victory.
"We had plenty of opportunities in the third quarter and to get in front at the 15-minute mark of the last quarter showed the character of our group," Spolding said.
"Unfortunately, we used too much energy getting to that point ... We didn't take our opportunities. We probably had the ball in our half for 15 to 20 minutes of a 25-minute quarter."
He said insufficient pressure in the first quarter helped the Joeys skip away.
Brad Ottens assisted Newtown & Chilwell's rise in the third term.
He was thrown into the ruck to curb Peter Street, who was best on ground to halftime.
The Eagles went forward to main target Jay Bett, who uncharacteristically squandered chances in front of goal.
Spolding praised youngster Jackson Kelly who was a late inclusion for Ryan Gamble.
Gamble missed for a second consecutive week.
He said he didn't know what injury Gamble was carrying.
"We don't know and that's being honest. Last week was an ankle, but this is unrelated," Spolding said.
"He woke up really sore and at 12 o'clock he said to me he didn't feel too good and we pulled him out.
"It was a no-risk policy and especially because we had the second chance we weren't going to risk him. If it was a cut-throat final I'm sure he would've played.
"We're getting him scanned and he's seeing a doctor during the week."
Spolding rated himself a 70 per cent chance to return for next week's do-or-die semi-final after suffering a lower leg injury.
"I got through training and it's just a matter of how it pulls up after back-to-back sessions," Spolding said.
Simon Rau is also a chance to play, pulling out with a lower back/hamstring complaint.
Last Modified on 07/01/2013 13:44