WHITTLESEA has just missed out on a grand final appearance in the Northern Football Netball League division three women’s competition, losing to a red-hot Heidelberg West by 13 points in Sunday’s preliminary final.
The Eagles had to play catch up at various times during the morning at Tony Sheehan Oval, conceding the opening goal of the contest in the first quarter to trail by seven points at the first change, 7-0.
Whittlesea had the better of the play in the second quarter, but it wasn’t quite able to hit the scoreboard. Instead, it had to make do with two behinds, while the Hawks added one further behind to hold on to the lead at half time, 8-2.
The second half got off to the perfect start for Whittlesea as it scored the first goal through Olivia Hodgson, who tied the scores.
But this was as good as it got for the Eagles, who saw Heidelberg West maintain control of the contest, kicking the next three goals as it extended the lead to 18 points at the final change, 26-8.
With everything to play for, Whittlesea threw caution to the wind and was rewarded with the first two goals of the last quarter through Tayla Wood and Audrey Steinke to close the gap to just six points.
Heidelberg West, however, had a late steadier to book its place in next week’s grand final against North Heidelberg.
Hayley Osborne threw everything at the cause for the Eagles, while Ashley Fitzpatrick, Steinke, Eden Attard, Hodgson and Tahlia Brander also gave it everything.
