The Sunbury Kangaroos broke their Roxburgh Park hoodoo and picked up their second finals win ever on Saturday in the Essendon District Football League division 2 women’s competition.
The Kangaroos and Roxburgh Park have built up a little bit of a rivalry since the Magpies returned to the competition last year.
But the Magpies held a 6-0 record heading into Saturday’s elimination final, including winning the corresponding game last season and a win the week before in the final round of the season.
On Saturday, there wasn’t much between the two sides again.
The Magpies led narrowly at the first and third breaks, while the Kangaroos were in front by one point at half time.
The Kangaroos were able to find another level in the last quarter and get some reward for effort as they won, 5.7 (37)-4.4 (28).
Kangaroos coach Carly Blythe said it was an incredible feeling to get the win against the Magpies.
“Roxburgh Park have been a quality side all year, so to finally get over the top of them was something special for the group especially in a final,” she said.
“I’m just proud of how the girls played for each other, and earned every bit of that win.”
Blythe said even though they lost to the Magpies the previous week, with a shot on goal in the final seconds following just short, they had taken a lot of confidence out of that result.
She said it showed that they could match the Magpies in key areas.
“It gave the group belief that if we tightened up a few things and brought our pressure for four full quarters, we could get the result and that’s exactly what they did.”
With the match on the line at the final break, Blythe said the group knew what they needed to do to get the win.
They had controlled a lot of the contest and locked in in their forward half.
“Calm but determined,” she said of the mood. “We knew we were right in it, and it was just about trusting each other.
“I believe there was a quiet confidence in the huddle, the girls knew the game was there to be won if we kept our pressure and kept attacking.”
The Kangaroos kicked the only two goals of the final quarter, both to skipper Lisa Kirby.
Blythe said it was nice to get some reward for effort in their attacking end.
“It was massive,” she said. “We’ve had games where we’ve dominated territory but haven’t always capitalised.
“The girls were more composed and utilised each other’s individual skills to get on the scoreboard.”
Kirby ended up with three goals for the Kangaroos and was named in the best alongside Tylah Bell and Summer Pazsa,
Blythe was full of praise for her captain.
“She was huge,”she said. “Three goals, 24 possessions.
“When the game was on the line, she stood up, whether it was winning the hard ball, setting up teammates, or leading with her voice.
“That’s why she’s our captain — she leads by example and inspires those around her to lift.”
The only downside in the win was an ankle injury to Blythe.
The Kangaroos now face Taylors Lakes in a preliminary final, with Gisborne-Kyneton United awaiting the winner in the grand final.
It’s the first time the side has made a preliminary final since 2018.
“We’re excited but grounded,” Blythe said. “Past results mean nothing in finals, we know we’ll have to be at our absolute best.
“But the belief is there, the energy is high, and this group is hungry to keep going.”
