Darebin Falcons almost ready to launch into finals after another big win in VWFL

DAREBIN is one game away from launching into another finals campaign after handing fellow premiership contender Melbourne Uni-versity a 99-point belting in the VWFL on Saturday.

DAREBIN is one game away from launching into another finals campaign after handing fellow premiership contender Melbourne Uni-versity a 99-point belting in the Victorian Women’s Football League on Saturday.

The Falcons — who have won six of the last eight premierships — were barely troubled by the Mugars after getting off to a blistering start, kicking with the breeze in the first quarter at AH Capp Reserve.

By the first change the home side held a 41-point advantage and while the Falcons were held scoreless in the second term, the second half was largely one-way traffic.

“We ran away with it in the end,” Darebin coach Richard Dal Pos said.

“Our first quarter was a blinder with the breeze but then they held us goalless in the second, to their credit.

“The third quarter we really didn’t put them to the sword but we had a great last quarter.

“We outscored them against the breeze, which took away any hope.

“Again I encouraged the girls to play our style regardless of the opposition we play and they did that for most of the game.”

Asta O’Connor in the ruck was the Falcons’ best in the win, while Karen Paxman and Melissa Hickey also impressed.

But Dal Pos said he could have “thrown a blanket” over the whole team when picking out the side’s better players.

The ladder-leading Falcons, who took their record to 11-0 with the victory, will face fifth-placed VU St Albans in an away match in the final round of the home-and-away season on Saturday, Dal Pos saying he was hoping to use the game as a “tune up” ahead of finals.