Tara Murray
The Sunbury Lions dug deep to overcome Roxburgh Park and win through to the Essendon District Football League women’s division 2 grand final.
After losing in the first week of finals, the minor premiers needed to find a way to respond against Roxburgh Park in the preliminary final on Saturday.
The key was a good start and the Lions got the start they were after, kicking the only two goals of the first quarter.
There were no goals kicked in the second quarter, but the Lions were able to keep the margin with the Magpies failing to hit the scoreboard.
The Lions sealed the win in the third quarter with two goals to lead 29-0 heading into the final quarter.
A final quarter goal was the icing on the cake with the Lions winning, 5.5 (35)-.0.2 (2).
Lions coach Matt Tremellen was thrilled.
“It feels great, it’s been what we’ve been working towards all year,” he said. “To finally just cement that spot, I think the vibes are pretty good.”
The Lions had a few changes to their line up from the qualifying final loss, with some injuries.
They were able to bring in their three Calder Cannons players, who were all able to have an impact.
Tremellen said they were missing a lot of players, but they were all in spirit on the field with many taking on off field roles.
“They’re all part of the team,” he said. “We play for the ones that can’t play the game and that’s what we did.
“We did it for the ones that were lost throughout the year and over the last couple of weeks and girls had to miss out on selection.”
Tremellen said they knew they had to get off to a good start if they were to beat Roxburgh Park, which was bringing in plenty of momentum into the game.
He said they knew the Magpies would be competitive and bring their physical game.
“We knew that they were going to bring it all day and to keep them goal less is really just is attributed to our defence which is what our game’s been built around,” he said. Our defensive group has been the best all year. “
Natachia Abela was the only multiple goal kicker on the ground with two goals.
Eden Grant, Emma Quarrell and Grace Azzopardi were their best. All three can still play in the under-18.5s competition.
Tremellen said they were huge for them and they filled the gaps that were missing through injured players and without them they couldn’t have got it done.
The three Cannons girls are unlikely to play in the grand final with Coates Talent League commitments.
Acting captain Emily Taylor went to hospital after a finger injury in the first quarter, while Abela, the competition’s leading goal kicker, received a red card in the dying seconds.
Tremellen said there’s always concerns and they would deal with them throughout the week.
He said they would look to some of their experienced players like Krystie Dudley and Jaimee-lee Wilson, who have played in premierships before.
The Lions will face Coburg Districts in the grand final on Saturday at Coburg City Oval from 12.10pm.
The three match ups between the sides have been good ones.
“We’re looking forward to another good game against them,” Tremellen said. “We know what they bring and we’ve seen them at their best.
“We know what we have to do to beat them.”
