Tara Murray
Hillside claimed its first Essendon District Football League division 1 finals win to keep its season alive on Sunday.
Facing St Albans for the second time in as many weeks, the Sharks were able to turn the table with a strong second half in the elimination final,
The mind games started last week and they continued before the game, with the Sharks adding a late inclusion.
After not being named in the team, star forward Josh Covelli was among those to line up for the Sharks, albeit with a brace on his knee.
The Saints led by two goals at half time having finished the half the stronger of the two teams.
The Sharks changed some things around and the Saints were hit by injury after injury which left them with injured players having to return to the game with no bench.
The Sharks took advantage of that running away to a 12.8 (80)-9.8 (62) win.
Sharks coach Charlie Denaro said for the group it was nice to finally get a finals win at this level.
“We were really mindful as a div 1 team that we had not won a final,” he said. “We had lost a few years back, maybe five years and I don’t think we’ve played finals since 2018.
“We got in and always thought it would a challenge and once we got in, anything can happen and we were prepared as we can be. It’s a great relief and the the joy in the players evident after the siren.
“We had a job to do and we got over them today [Sunday] and we will quickly get over it and reboot for next week.”
The Sharks added a number of players this week having rested some last week, Denaro said they didn’t want to give too much away last week knowing they were playing each other again in the first week of finals.
Denaro said the first half they allowed the Saints to control the midfield too much and it reflected on the scoreboard.
“That 10-15 minute period in the second quarter they started to get on top” he said.
“We gave them a lot of ascendency and we gave a lot of footy back to them. Poor decision making, the execution and giving away free kicks based on our ill discipline.
“We got to the break and the break come when it needed to come.”
The Sharks made a few small changes at half time to try and shut down the Saints. Zak Wunhym moved into the midfield, as did Lachlan Henson with both having an immediate impact.
“We did give certain players certain roles,” he said. “The belief is there with our boys and the first goal is always critical in the third quarter.
“We got that one, the boys never looked back from there.”
Denaro said they were aware of the Saints injury problems. Jake Galea was done in the first quarter, while Bailee Revell copped a ball to the face in the second quarter and was unwell afterwards.
Andre Srour, Jack Sims, Patrick Taban, Adem Asani and Joshua Klaromenos all received treatment at some stage as well.
Denaro said the focus for them was to keep putting the forward down.
Covelli finished with six goals for the Sharks, while Bailey Kirkman and Mitchell Hearne were other standouts.
Bol Kolang kicked five goals at the other end and Matthew Gundry, who set up several of the Saints early scoring opportunities was named their best.
The Sharks now face the other Sharks, Rupertswood, in a knockout semi final on Sunday.
