Tara Murray
Macedon is a step closer to its first Riddell District Football League women’s premiership after winning through to the grand final.
The team to beat this season, the Cats’ were too strong for reigning premiers Kyneton in a semi final on Saturday night.
The Cats led by eight points at quarter time with the margin blowing up to 26 points at the main break.
The second half was a lot closer, but the damage had already been done, with the Cats winning 6.4 (40)-1.3 (9).
Cats defender Tamara Collins said it was really exciting.
“It was a really good game,” she said. “We thought it was challenging as Kyneton is really strong with silky skills.
“We were able to hold them off.”
Collins said after the learnings of last season’s finals series when they had no expectations, the group took plenty of confidence into the game in this year’s finals series.
She said while there were some nerves knowing what Kyneton can do, they stuck to the plan.
“We still have a lot left in the tank and we will have to be on our toes,” she said.
“We felt like we had a lot of ball in the first quarter but after half time they really challenged us. Our backline did a really brilliant job in holding them off.”
Collins said the half back line of Scarlett Lynch, Ninna Harbinson and Hannah Beasley had done an outstanding job all season.
Charlotte Noonan kicked five goals in a best on ground performance.
Collins said it helps having someone who can kick big bags of goals.
“She makes a massive difference,” Collins said. “It’s really hard to score goals so having a focal point is important.
“We’ve also got some great kicks around her.”
Tamsin Muller, Stephanie Jones and Ruby Watts were the other standouts for the Cats.
For Kyneton, Jorja Bennett was the goal kicker.
Teagan Ainslie, Mairead Murphy and Bridie Kinghorn were named the Tigers best.
The Cats now have a week off before the grand final, while Kyneton will play Woodend-Hesket in the preliminary final this Saturday for a spot in the grand final.
Collins said they would work with the junior club the next couple of weeks in accessing ovals, with the state of some ovals in the Macedon Ranges restricting the use of the grounds and limiting training.
“We want to get on the track and get lots of ball in hand,” she said. “We’ll work hard the next couple of weeks.”
Collins said a premiership would be pretty special in the second season of having a women’s side.
Last season they made the grand final and gave Kyneton the biggest test it had for the season after taking no expectations into the season.
“We wanted to improve on last year, so that is going one better,” Collins said.
“It would be a great achievement.”
