By Tara Murray
The Sunbury Kangaroos’ season came to a disappointing end in the Essendon District Football League Women’s premier division.
Looking to at least match the achievements of last season when they made a preliminary final, the Kangaroos exited the finals in straight sets.
It wasn’t the Kangaroos day, as they lost to Hillside 6.6 (42)-1.2 (8).
Kangaroos captain Tylah Bell said the Sharks were the better team on the day.
“Unfortunately the girls couldn’t get around the ball as much as they could,” she said.
“They won all clearances in the midfield and they dominated from there.
“Hillside were better everywhere. Around the ball, they had more run and carry and more numbers around the ball.
“We weren’t there at the start and we weren’t there at the end.”
PHOTO GALLERY: Sunbury Kangaroos vs Hillside
Two goals with the breeze in the opening quarter gave the Sharks momentum.
The Kangaroos scored the only goal of the second quarter through Regina Said, but that would be the only goal of the day for the side.
The third quarter would be the match-winning one – three goals to nil in favour of Hillside opened up a 27-point lead heading into the final break.
The Sharks kicked the only goal of the last quarter to put the icing on the cake.
Bell said things didn’t go right for the side at the pointy end of the season.
Last year’s league best and fairest winner Bailee Said missed Saturday’s game with a knee injury, while Simone Craige got a call up to the VFLW.
Bell copped a corked hip in the opening minutes of the game, and while she returned to the field she was restricted.
It meant that different players had to step up to the challenge in the midfield.
Bell said while those injuries hurt the side, it didn’t take away from the fact that Hillside was the better team on the day.
“It’s pretty shattering to go out and give it your all and come off short and not really score as we would have liked.
“Hopefully we can hit out a hard pre-season and come back and be better next year.”
Bell said despite not reaching the same stage of the season as last year, it felt like this year was a better year for the club.
In each of its three seasons, the Sunbury Kangaroos have made finals.
“Towards the end of the year we faded off, we lost some players and had some players go to the VFLW.
“There’s so many young girls and such a good group. If we put together a hard pre-season we can be better than what we were this year.”
Hillside will play Keilor for a spot in the grand final. Keilor lost its semi-final to Aberfeldie, 5.12 (42)-2.0 (12).
MORE EDFL NEWS
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/keilor-regroups-after-a-miserable-defeat/
