Tara Murray
Burnside Heights season came to an end on Saturday against a red hot Essendon Doutta Stars in the Essendon District Football League women’s division 1 preliminary final.
After being seconds away from making the grand final in its semi final, the Bears had to back it up against the Stars on Saturday.
For a second straight week, the Stars put the game to bed in the first half as they piled on the scoreboard pressure.
The Bears were able to finish the game strongly, but the Stars had done enough to win, 8.6 (54)-3.3 (21) and make it through to the grand final.
Bears president Justin Peagam said they were beaten by a better team on the day.
“The feeling out of the camp was that they were a little bit more deflated from the weekend before than showed during the week,” he said.
“They started flat and things just didn’t happen. The last quarter they were able to go out with some pride.”
Peagram said the impact of Victorian Football League Women’s players returning for finals hadn’t helped his side come the pointy end of the season.
He said across both the men’s and women’s competitions, it can have a big impact.
“We don’t have those players in the mix,” he said.
“In the home and away season we were able to mix it with everyone, but we couldn’t yesterday [Saturday].”
While disappointed to go out of the finals in straight sets, Peagram said the group had taken a lot from this season.
The side dropped back to division 1 from premier division for 2023, after finishing bottom in premier division last year.
“The last couple of years we’ve struggled with injuries and they’ve been able to come back.
“We had a good mix and we’re really proud of them, but they didn’t achieve what they wanted this year.”
The match was the last one for coach Jeff Stevens in charge, as he announced after the game that he was standing down.
Peagram said Stevens leaves the role on a good note.
“After five years he thinks he has done as much as he can,” he said. “He thinks they need a change of voice.
“He will still be around the club. We are now hunting for a new coach.”
It was a tough weekend all round for the Bears, with their division 2 men’s side now officially out of the finals race.
The Bears lost to the Sunbury Kangaroos, 19.15 (129)-7.13 (55), with the Kangaroos moving into the top four heading into the final round.
Peagram said the long season had taken its toll on the group.
“Injuries and overseas holidays have taken a toll,” he said.
“It was hard with a young team as it was and we’re now looking at some 16-year-olds, who have earned their dues.
“The young boys started to feel the pinch towards the end. Some of our guys are starting to feel the riggers of season football.
“The Sunbury Kangaroos were a bit more physical and ran over the top of us.”
The Bears were hit with some more injuries as well, making it hard with rotations in the second half.
Peagram said they were hoping to finish the season on a high against Coburg Districts, which needs a win to play finals.
