Tara Murray
Hillside is hoping to take the lessons of its qualifying final loss to bounce back bigger in the Essendon District Football League women’s premier division.
Playing their first finals since 2019, for many of the side it was their first finals experience at this level.
While the Sharks finished on top, it faced a tough task in knocking off last year’s premiers Oak Park for the first spot in the grand final.
The Kangaroos jumped out of the blocks and kicked three goals to nothing in the first quarter.
It was game over by half time with the Kangaroos leading by 38 points.
The Sharks were able to reduce the margin in the second half, but it was too late with the Sharks winning, 7.6 (48)-2.4 (16).
Sharks coach Blaise Ferraro said it was one of those days.
“It wasn’t overly unexpected, we didn’t come out to play,” he said. “We’ve been a little bit flat for a couple of weeks and there was a little bit of inexperience there.
“A lot of girls were having their first crack at it. Everyone was a little bit fumbling.
“They were good and we were a little bit off.”
Ferraro said once you concede a lead like that, it’s always hard to come back from that.
He said they were able to stabilise it in the second half once the game was over.
Caitlin Sargent and Nikita Wright were the goal kickers for the Sharks.
Mia Spiteri, Sargent, Ellie Neralic, Lisa Parisi and Annie Gray were all solid contributors, with Ferraro saying there were no standouts.
Ferraro said they wouldn’t take many positives out of the game.
“We get that finals experience under our belts and what it’s going to be like with that added pressure,” he said.
“It’s the first time we’ve been behind all year and we had to adjust to that as well.”
It doesn’t get any easier for the Sharks in the preliminary final, facing Aberfeldie.
Abers beat Essendon Doutta Stars in the elimination final, 8.5 (53)-4.4 (28).
The last time the two teams played, Aberfeldie gave Hillside its first loss of the season.
Ferraro said they are keen to make sure they had a better performance this week.
“They are a strong outfit as well,” he said. “Preliminary finals are never fun, but it’s a reward for a good season.
“It was a bit of dead rubber last time we played and we knew we would likely play them again.
“That game could have gone either way… We’ll make some adjustments.”
In good news for the Sharks, the club announced that Ferraro had re-signed for next season.
He said he was happy to put pen onto paper.
“I have enjoyed this year,” Ferraro said. “Regardless of what happens now, I’m rapt and happy that the club and players want me back.”
