Caroline Springs was given a reality check in its semi final loss to Spotswood in the Western Region Football League women’s division 1 competition.
The minor premiers and top side all season, the Lakers were left stunned by the Wolves in the second half in difficult conditions.
The Lakers led at half time, but it was the Wolves who kicked six goals to two after the break to seal a 9.6 (60)-5.7 (37) win and the first spot in the grand final.
Lakers coach Dean Ellis said the girls would take a lot of lessons out of that performance.
“With the game at home I think there was a bit of complacency,” he said. “We knew they could hard and hard they did,
“Our girls weren’t quite ready.”
Ellis said they were able to play their game for spurts, but weren’t able to put it together for the whole four quarters.
He said one positive was that despite not playing well they were still in front at half time.
Caitlin Pretty kicked three goals for the Lakers, while Dijana Vasilevska and Alexandra O’Shea were named their best.
The Lakers will be looking to bounce back in the preliminary final against Werribee Centrals, which smashed Manor Lakes, 13.6 (84)-5.9 (39) in the other semi final.
A win would put the Lakers through to a third straight grand final.
“We’ll look to bounce back,” he said. “Hopefully it spurs them on a little bit and we can get through this week and have another crack at Spotswood.”
Ellis said the group already had a first hand look at what’s needed to win a final, with their second side making it through to the preliminary final.
All the senior girls were on the side lines as the division 2 side beat Wyndhamvale 10.23 (83)-2.1 (13).
Ellis said that the group came ready to play and it showed.
Aeyshah Lowe kicked three goals for the Lakers, while Chantelle Paris-Webb was named best on ground.
The side will play North Footscray in the preliminary final. North Footscray lost its semi final to Point Cook Centrals, 6.7 (43)-3.5 (23).
Ellis said they were looking forward to this weekend.
“The two teams will play at the same ground, one after each other,” he said.
“The aim was to have two sides in finals and we have done that. The twos have come a long way and improved each week.”
