WHITTLESEA will need to wait another year for a premiership after falling agonisingly close to a grand final appearance in Saturday’s eight-point preliminary final loss to Macleod at Lalor Reserve.
The Eagles had to fight hard throughout the balance of the afternoon, but while making a late comeback, they fell agonisingly short.
The opening quarter was a classic scrap, with just three goals kicked, but it was Whittlesea who escaped with the lead at the opening change, kicking two goals to lead 14-12.
However, Macleod would soon put its best foot forward and peppered the goals, kicking four for the quarter, while the Eagles could only manage two. As a result, it was the Kangaroos who led 41-27 at the main break.
With the first two goals of the third term, it looked like Macleod were going to get away from Whittlesea. But to its credit, the Eagles continued to fight, kicking five goals for the quarter to close the gap slightly, trailing 58-68 at the final change.
In a thrilling final term, the Kangaroos kicked the first goal to extend the lead to 16 points, but Whittlesea looked like overrunning them when they kicked two goals to make it anyone’s game going into time on.
However, a late goal at the 25-minute mark meant it was Macleod’s day, winning 11.16 (82) to 11.8 (74).
The Bland brothers, Clancy and Taidhg, were outstanding for the Eagles, with Taidhg kicking three goals to lead the way. Jaron Murphy, Khaled El-Leissy, Mitchell Andrews and Harley Fraumano were also named in the best.
Whittlesea will still be represented on division two grand final day, with the reserves taking a comfortable 72-point victory over Thomastown.
The Eagles kicked 17 goals to six after quarter time to dominate proceedings, scoring an 18.15 (123) to 6.15 (51) victory.
The club’s under-19s will also take part, playing North Heidelberg after the Bulldogs won through in the first game of the day.
In the Friday night netball competition, Whittlesea’s division one campaign is over, losing its preliminary final clash with Diamond Creek by three goals, 48-45.
It was better news for the Eagles’ division three team, however, who now have the opportunity to step up into division two with a 42-38 victory over Hurstbridge. The Eagles will now meet Kinglake in the grand final.
Laurimar, too, was successful on Friday night, taking the division 11 premiership with a strong 33-20 victory over Bundoora.
