Marcellin knocked out of VAFA finals in straight sets

MARCELLIN has set itself for another tilt at a Premier C premiership next year after being knocked out in straight sets this year.

VAFA (Premier C) footy: marcellin v old camberwell Pictured is marcellin #31 Anthony Beaini and camberwell #35 (not listed) Picture: Paul Loughnan

MARCELLIN has set itself for another tilt at a Premier C premiership next year after being knocked out in straight sets this year.

Despite finishing on top of the ladder at the end of the home-and-away season, the Eagles lost to Old Haileyburians in the preliminary final, 9.21 (75) to 7.6 (48), at Casey Fields on Saturday.

Eagles coach Damien Theisz said his side’s form dipped at the wrong time.

“Unfortunately we played some of our worst football of the year in our two most important games,” he said. “Old Haileyburians were playing like we were playing a month ago, so maybe we just peaked too soon.”

With a six-goal wind blowing to one end of the ground, Marcellin did well to restrict the Bloods to just two goals in the first half.

“We defended really well in the first half,” Theisz said.

“Unfortunately they broke it open in the third and we were never able to bounce back and score the quick goals we have for much of the year.”

Jarrod Carlson, Andrew Kay, Jonathan Blanch and Jason Wood all battled hard for the Eagles.

Despite the loss, Theisz said his side could take a lot of positives out of the year.

“We finished at the top of the ladder, that’s a major plus,” he said. “There’s also a really strong crop of young players coming through which we are really happy about. However, at the end of the day I’m just bitterly disappointed for the players that this is how the season ended.”