IT was a brave performance from Whittlesea’s women’s team, which held a slim lead for much of the second half against minor premier North Heidelberg, before the class of the Bulldogs was too much in the final term.
The Eagles, who had lost their only meeting to the Bulldogs throughout the season by 48 points, had to come up with a plan to beat the well-rested minor premier after needing a final quarter burst to defeat Montmorency 2 the week before.
Luckily, however, Whittlesea seemed up to the task, even though North Heidelberg had dominated proceedings early on.
Defensively, the Eagles were playing well, and kept North Heidelberg to two behinds for the first quarter, while Whittlesea wasn’t able to hit the scoreboard, trailing by two points at the first change.
The Eagles were able to land the first significant blow on the scoreboard, however, kicking a goal through Emma Hancy, and it would be the only goal kicked during the term. North Heidelberg kept attacking, but only had three behinds to show for the quarter as Whittlesea led 7-5 at the main break.
Whittlesea was defending stoicly against a Bulldogs outfit who kept attacking in waves, and playing an extra behind the footy was working well. It allowed the Eagles to restrict the Bulldogs to one behind for the quarter, which meant that going into the final term, the Eagles led 7-6.
It was clear, however, that Whittlesea was going to have to score to take an upset victory and a spot in the grand final with it.
Despite having its opportunities, the goal the Eagles needed wasn’t quite forthcoming, and instead, it was North Heidelberg which took command, kicking two late goals to secure the win, 2.8 (20) to 1.1 (7).
It was a terrific fight from the Eagles, who will now have to back up against a red-hot Heidelberg West, which took a 78-point win in the first semi-final.
Hayley Osborne, Ashley Fitzpatrick, Harper McPherson-Goulding, Tahlia Brander, Eden Attard and Hancy all fought hard for Whittlesea.
