Tara Murray
A straight set finals exit will be the motivation for Caroline Springs to come back bigger and stronger next year in the Western Region Football League division 1.
After claiming the minor premiership, the Lakers in their first finals experience at this level, found the going a lot tougher.
The Lakers first up lost to Altona. On Saturday, they were given a finals lesson by Werribee Districts in the preliminary final.
The Lakers started the better of the two teams but couldn’t convert. In the second quarter when the Tigers did, they kicked eight goals.
That turned the game and the Tigers were able to take complete control in the second half. The Lakers wouldn’t score a goal in the second half until right on the final siren.
The Tigers sealed their grand final spot with a 16.8 (104)-7.14 (56) win.
Lakers football manager Marc Raak said there were some mixed reactions in the room after the game.
“It was a tough day at the office,” he said.
“Full credit to Werribee Districts, they played a great brand of football. I said to the guys after the game, this was our first finals campaign in division 1.
“We have to learn from this. There’s a lot of young players who have had a fantastic year, finals is another brand of football.”
Raak said they had a lot to be proud of this season. After winning games last year, this year they won 17.
Their reserves also made a preliminary final, which they lost to Altona.
“It was a massive leap for us as a club,” he said. “Seniors and reserves in a preliminary final.
“The lessons we’ve learned today will drive us forward next year. We’ve got a lot of guys who are 18,.19, 20, playing div 1 finals for the first time.”
Raak said the Tigers showed them how finals football should be played.
The Lakers had the wind in the first quarter, but despite dominating much of the contest they led by just 15 points.
The second quarter would change the game.
“In the second quarter they kicked eight goals,” he said. “They showed us how to use the breeze. They ran hard and made the most of it.”
Raak said they needed to kick a few goals in the third quarter to give themselves a chance. They threw Brian Lake from full back to full forward.
It didn’t work with the Tigers extending their lead.
Raak said their ball use proved costly, with not many clear kicks inside 50 after quarter.
He said it was one area they spoke about looking to readdress for next year.
Ryan Allan kicked four of the Lakers goals. Mitchell Bongiovanni was named their best.
The Tigers will now face Altona in the grand final.
