By Tara Murray
Sunbury Kangaroos are through to an Essendon District Football League women’s preliminary final after defeating cross-town rival Sunbury Lions.
In just the second time the two sides have met, it was the Kangaroos that were the stronger team beating the Lions for a second time.
The Kangaroos won 9.7 (61)-3.4 (22).
Kangaroos coach Allan Walters couldn’t wipe the smile off his face after the win, the Kangaroos first finals win in four attempts.
“It was absolute magnificent for the girls that played the game,” Walters said. “It’s always in the back of the mind that you don’t want to go out in straight sets, it happened last year.
“It was important that everyone rallied, which they did in that second half.
“Everyone was superb and everyone played their role.”
The Kangaroos led all day and could have been further ahead at half-time had they kicked straight.
Not for the first time, the Kangaroos were able to blow a game open in the third quarter.
The Lions scored two goals late with the wind, but the game was already over.
Walters said he couldn’t be prouder of the playing group.
Bailee and Regina Said, Bronte Koutras and Tylah Bell all kicked two goals each.
The game was a return for Regina Said, after missing several weeks with broken finger.
Walters said Bell and Bailee Said were two of the standouts, with everyone contributing.
The one downside for the Kangaroos was an arm injury to Bailee Said who was taken to hospital following the game.
Acting Lions coach Ebony English said they would still take positives out of the game and season.
English, who is normally the side’s runner, took over the coaching reins with coach Kerry Saunders having surgery on a finger injury sustained playing football on Saturday.
I got the call up last [Saturday] night,” she said.
“I’ve been runner all season, so I was able to step up without too much fuss.
English said they showed signs that they could match it with the Kangaroos.
“Credit to the Kangaroos, they were the better side. I just said to the girls to stay positive and there’s a bit of wind on this ground and to use it to our advantage.
“We kept the Kangaroos goaless in the last quarter, which was our goal.”
English said Sera Catania, Natalie East and Yolanda Jones were the best in the loss.
She said there was good signs going forward for the club.
“We’ve got some young girls coming up through the ranks now.
“We had a few injuries today, but I think there’s positive things to come.”
The Kangaroos face Pascoe Vale in a preliminary final for a spot in the grand final.
The Kangaroos have come the closest of any team in the competition to knocking off the Panthers, who remain undefeated.
“We will give our best shot and no doubt the girls will fight it out to the end,” Walters said.
Westmeadows upset Aberfeldie in the other semi-final to set up a preliminary final clash with Burnside Heights.
