By Tara Murray
A late comeback by Sunbury Kangaroos fell short in the Essendon District Football League Women’s premier division qualifying final.
The Kangaroos struggled to match it with Keilor in the first three quarters and were goalless at the last break, trailing by 37 points.
They responded in the last quarter with five goals, but the Blues scored two of their own to seal the 8.5 (53)-5.4 (34) win.
Kangaroos captain Tylah Bell said the side didn’t show up in the first three quarters.
“Keilor got on top in the midfield and in their forward line, they were moving the ball way too easy for our liking,” she said.
“They were on top with the clearances and their ruck work and around the ball.
“They were able to shepherd and get the easy clearances. They know how to switch and they killed us on the run.”
At three-quarter time, the Kangaroos spoke about finishing the game on a high and trying to win the last quarter.
PHOTO GALLERY: Keilor vs Sunbury Kangaroos
At one stage they pegged the margin back to 12 points in the final quarter.
Bell said she was proud of how the group responded. She said if they had have played that way for the full game, it could have been a different result.
“We spoke about it not really being out of our reach … We didn’t want to go out without scoring a goal either.
“[Coach] Bevan [Green] was pretty strict on getting around the ball and getting the clearances and let the forwards do their work.
“We were able to do that in the last quarter. It was an amazing last quarter from the girls but we should have shown up from the first bounce.”
Teaghan Tweedly and Regina Said kicked two goals each for the Kangaroos.
Jess Domkino was the Kangaroos best, spending most of the day in the ruck.
The Kangaroos this week face Hillside in a knockout semi-final.
Hillside beat Burnside Heights in their elimination final, 7.6 (48)-4.5 (29).
The Kangaroos won their first encounter with Hillside, while the second one was called off in the first quarter after an ambulance was called.
Bell said the team was hopeful of continuing the last quarter form against Hillside.
“They’re going alright at the moment and they’ve got the run going, they beat Burnside quite easily in the end.
“They’re a tough competition to play against and hopefully we can bring our style of football and get the win.”
