Melbourne University concluded their successful season on Saturday at Coburg City Oval, as they were pipped at the post by the Eastern Devils, 10.9 (69) to 8.6 (54). The Devils live to fight another day against Diamond Creek in a Preliminary Final at Northcote Park on Saturday.
As was always bound to happen, the game was close and hard fought all day. Both sides were well acquainted with each other, with the sides playing off just the weekend before. This time, however, the result was different.
The Devils went into the rooms at half-time ahead by a couple of goals in a testy opening to the first VWFL final in 2013. Both sides looked to run the ball and attack early, but space was hard to come by as goals were tough to come by for the majority of the first half.
The biggest lead of the game was the Mugars’ three-goal lead at the final break. They led as a result of a five-goal burst in the third term. The Devils, such is the nature of their forward line, had more shots to fire and all proved fatal. They added four goals in the final quarter, while Melbourne Uni were held goalless.
Moana Hope, as can be said for her team, is coming into the right form at the right time for the Devils with a four-goal haul. Devils' Wynonna Cutbertson and Jess Trend were outstanding as well. Emma Kearney ended her breakout season with another best-on-ground performance for the Mugars.
Darebin guaranteed direct entry to the Grand Final with a typically dominant performance over Diamond Creek in Coburg on Sunday, 13.10 (88) to 3.2 (20). Despite the result, the Creekers live to fight another day next week in the Preliminary Final.
Despite a close contest to begin with in the first quarter, both sides registering two goals each, Diamond Creek could only add one more major in 75 minutes of footy that came after. In that time, Darebin added a further eleven.
The Falcons were able to find another gear to put away their opponents by the beginning of the last quarter. None are as good with the ball and adept at finding space, especially on the spacious surrounds of Coburg, like the Falcons. Their defence was at its miserly best, led by Mel Hickey. They were on the front foot by the long break, kicking four goals to lead by 28 points.
The Premiership favourites added another four in the third quarter. Much alike their home-and-away season form, Darebin was able to find too many avenues to goal. Diamond Creek mustered some fight to take into this week’s clash, through a consolation goal from Dianna Haines and holding the Falcons to three goals.
Hickey, Daisy Pearce and Karen Paxman were outstanding for the Grand Finalists. Shae Audley, Amelia Barden and Stacey Cross led the way for the vanquished Creekers.
Last Modified on 31/07/2013 18:40