Darebin’s Darcy Vescio unlikely to play a part in Darebin Falcons’ VFL Women’s finals campaign because of knee injury

CARLTON star Darcy Vescio is unlikely to take the field for Darebin Falcons again this VFL Women’s season as the powerhouse prepares for finals.

Darebin Falcons star Darcy Vescio is on the sidelines. Picture:Wayne Ludbey

CARLTON star Darcy Vescio is unlikely to take the field for Darebin Falcons again this VFL Women’s season as the powerhouse prepares for finals.

The red-hot Falcons are riding the momentum of an 11-match winning streak, but the four-time reigning premier will likely be without Vescio after she injured her knee a month ago when she was the competition’s leading goalkicker.

Darebin's Katie Brennan has been in superb form. Picture:Andy Brownbill

“If she does get back it would be for the grand final (on September 24), but I would think what is more important for Darcy is AFLW,” Falcons coach Jane Lange said. “I’d also be very hesitant to play her after she was absent for many weeks.”

Darebin takes on Diamond Creek in what should be a hotly-contested qualifying final at Coburg City Oval on Sunday after both teams finished the regular season with a 12-2 record.

“We’re excited. I’m very pleased with how we’re travelling and it should make for a really good contest in the first final,” Lange said.

Expecting a physical game, the coach said the Creekers had added great ball movement to their arsenal this season.

“Hopefully we can match them inside the contest and use the ball the way we do on the outside,” Lange said.

“I think it’ll be a close game and the team who can play their style for longer will win.

“Once we clear those stoppages, hopefully we can take control of the footy and not give it back.”

Results have been split between the sides in 2017, but the Falcons won their most recent encounter by 25 points.

They then finished the season in incredible offensive form, piling on 47 goals in their last three matches, with Katie Brennan booting 20 of them.

“Earlier in the year we probably were not scoring enough,” Lange said.

“We were using the ball really well through the midfield and the back half but not as much at the pointy end.

“(Brennan) is a really good target who can also go to work for us through the midfield.

“She is starting to be really flexible and dynamic.

“She cops a hiding every week, but the way she stands up and works through that is really commendable.”

The Falcons will need to be wary of young forward Chloe Molloy, while Alison Downie has impressed in the ruck and Shae Audley is “an absolute ball winner … around stoppages”.

Aside from Vescio, the Falcons will have a virtually full list available, with Lauren Pearce (basketball commitments) and Alex Reynolds (injured) expected to be fit.