Calder Cannons confirm finals spot after dominant NAB League Girls win over Gippsland Power
After a tight three-way battle, Calder Cannons stamped its finals ticket on Sunday with a dominant win over Gippsland Power to book at preliminary final date with Geelong Falcons.
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Calder Cannons stamped its finals ticket on Sunday with a dominant 31-point win over Gippsland Power.
It was a nervous last fortnight for the 2017 NAB League premiers with a tight three-way battle with Oakleigh Chargers and Eastern Ranges that went right down to the final match.
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The Cannons held their nerve, winning their final two games, to seal third place and a preliminary final date with 2018 premiers Geelong Falcons.
Cannons talent manager Russell Humphreys said it was a confidence-building performance ahead of finals.
“You never know with football but the girls did what they needed to do winning our last two games,” he said.
“It’s exciting, the girls are excited to be playing finals, and it’s also a great reward for the parents who travel a lot to give these girls the chance to succeed.”
Gippsland were held goalless for the opening three quarters the Calder dominated play around the ground, young ruck Georgia Sampson a standout.
Skipper Georgia Patrikios continued her fine form with two goals while Terira Fry and Zali Friswell also impressed at Morewell Recreation Reserve.
“Georgia (Sampson) had a great game in the ruck, she just gets to the right spots every time,” Humphreys said.
“She’s doing a fantastic job in the ruck and that’s allowing others to get exposure in other positions and being only 17, it bodes really well for next year.
“Terira has been with us since day one and her defensive pressure is next level, she got credited with six tackles but I think it should have been closer to 10.
“And it was a breakout game for Friz (Frizwell), it’s exciting to see girls coming to the end of their time with the Cannons playing so well.”
In a strange fixture quirk, the Cannons and Falcons will face off at Dandenong’s Shipley Oval in a triple-header with a NAB League boys clash between Oakleigh and Northern Knights before the first girls preliminary final between the Knights and Ranges.
The Falcons got the better the Calder by 14 points in their Round 7 fixture with just four goals scored on the day.
Humphreys identified one key aspect that could help the Cannons reverse the result.
“For us to be successful, we’ll have to improve our forward 50m entries, last time they were too shallow and they need to be 25m to 30m out from goal,” he said.
“They’re a good side, they’ve only lost one game in the past 18, but I know the girls will be up for the challenge.
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