THE Mallee Eagles are through to their third preliminary final in three seasons after defeating Balranald by nine goals in Sunday’s first semi-final at Cohuna.
The Eagles started the knockout final strong, taking a four-goal lead into quarter-time and maintaining their lead for the remainder of the match on the way to a 51-42 victory.
The win sets up a rematch of last year’s preliminary final between the Eagles and Swan Hill, the latter going on to win the premiership after a five-goal win.
Sunday’s result also ended Balranald’s campaign, going out of this year’s A Grade finals series in straight sets.
With a six day break now ahead of them, Eagles co-coaches Alicia Harvey and Jess Jobling quickly turned attention to this Saturday’s encounter against the Swans.
Harvey was excited about the prospect of taking on the reigning premiers.
“The last couple of years we’ve made it through to the prelim but we unfortunately haven’t got the win,” Harvey said.
“Swan Hill beat us last year and Balranald the year before that, and both teams went on to win the premiership.
“There are a lot of good learnings for us to take away from those games, but we’re focusing more on this year and not so much worrying about the past, but we’re very excited about taking on Swan Hill this weekend.
“We’ll gain a lot of confidence from Sunday’s win (against Balranald) and in terms of our entire season, that was probably the best game we’ve played both individually and as a team.
“There wasn’t a lot we could pick apart from the game in terms of negatives.”
Every Mallee Eagles player, from Gemma Miller at goal shooter to Nevaeh Roberts at goal keeper, had an intercept at some point in the game for the blue and gold.
“We played four strong, consistent quarters, we came out firing and kept our lead and maintained our centres,” Harvey said.
“Forcing their turnovers required a stellar performance from every player on the court and with our full-court intensity and defence, it resulted in a few errors from (Balranald) and some great turnovers and steals by us.
“As soon as there’s a turnover, as soon as there’s a goal missed, we’re hands up, step up and that definitely showed on the weekend.
“Our defence was brilliant, Nevaeh (Roberts) and Laura (Sheahan) with their hunts were beautiful to watch.
“They went hard at the ball, but it was also our one-percenters across the court, chasing every single loose ball from every single player, it was our defensive pressure that got us over the line I felt.”
Roberts and Sheahan were among the Mallee Eagles’ better players, along with co-coach Jobling and goal shooter Miller, who had a tough battle against leading goal keeper Elli-Jane Pollard for the Roos.
Ella Mirtschin was again dominant in Balranald’s attacking third, shooting 26 goals from goal attack, while midcourter Taylin Barry tried her hardest to get her team back into the contest after their slow start.
“Credit to Balranald, who have been hit by injuries this year, to be able to bring up their A Reserve players and with the depth that they’ve got, and still have that fight and bring that performance that they did on Sunday, is a credit to them,” Harvey said.
“The match-ups across the court were unbelievable from both teams and nobody gave an inch all day.”
