KERANG’S unlikely run to this year’s finals series ended at the hands of the Mallee Eagles at the weekend, with the Blues falling three goals short of continuing their four-game winning streak.
With very little separating the two teams throughout a match played in difficult conditions, the Eagles finished strongest, coming from two goals behind at three-quarter-time to register a 32-29 victory.
The win maintained the Eagles’ grip on the third spot heading into the final home-and-away round and an encounter with unbeaten Lake Boga that will decide their double-chance hopes.
Co-coach Alicia Harvey praised the Eagles’ “stellar four quarter performance” and their composure in those frantic final moments.
“We knew it was going to be a tough battle from the start with (Kerang’s) late-season surge in performance,” Harvey said.
“Credit to Kerang, they are a strong side defensively and have some accurate goalies, they’d have been a good chance of making the five if they had that team all year.
“I think it come down to our composure and control in the end.
“The weather threw every season at us which forced several errors on both sides, but we were just able to keep that composure and control in the dying moments which is when it mattered most.
“Our fourth quarter was our best and (fellow co-coach Jess Jobling) and I are super proud of our girls for that five-goal turnaround in a very high-pressure final term.”
In one of the games of the season, Kerang’s performance against one of the teams to beat for this year’s title highlights just how close they could have been to making the top five if not for their slow start to the season.
Although the loss ended her team’s faint hopes of playing finals, Kerang coach Chloe Adams had mixed feelings after a match where they forced the Eagles to produce their very best to claim the four points.
“It was a tough game that was full of hard contests and adjusting to four seasons throughout the game,” Adams said.
“As a coach, I’m feeling so torn.
“On one hand, I’m absolutely gutted as I feel like we had that game, but on the other, I couldn’t be more proud of the way the girls are playing and how we have turned our season around.
“The girls continually adjusted to (Mallee Eagles’) incredible defence, as well as the weather, and fought all game.
“Mallee’s intensity across the court definitely forced us back into some of our old ways in attack, but we continued to adapt and fight.
“There were just some crucial moments in the last five minutes that turned the game.
“We probably had a period of a lapse in focus and didn’t stay mentally tough enough when some things didn’t go our way and you just can’t afford to do that in a tight game and against a side like Mallee.
“To end up on the wrong side of it again is heartbreaking, but we will just use it as another learning curve and stepping stone into next season.
“Full credit to Mallee, they are a formidable unit and one that I think can really go all the way through to the end of September.”
Denise Snyder, who scored 23 of her team’s 29 goals, and Keiarah Brooks were the best players for Kerang, while Mallee Eagles defenders Nevaeh Roberts, Leah McKenzie and Laura Sheahan were the better players for the home side.
The Eagles will face Lake Boga next week knowing anything less than a win could remove them from the top three, while the Blues will end their season at home against reigning premiers Swan Hill.
Final Score
| Mallee Eagles | 32 |
| Kerang | 29 |
