While it wasn’t the ending Westmeadows was hoping for, it will take plenty out of the Essendon District Football League division 1 women’s season.
The Tigers focus this year was more than about results after a couple of tough seasons which saw them go without a win last season and get relegated down into division 1.
A win on the board early gave them confidence and they did more than enough to make finals.
On Saturday, the Tigers weren’t able to match it with a red hot Burnside Heights side in the elimination final.
While the Tigers got the first goal of the game, it was slim pickings from then on with the Bears winning, 9.10 (64)-1.1 (7).
Tigers captain-coach Gemma Wright said things just didn’t work in their favour.
Already missing some experienced key players, the Tigers had a couple of injuries early including to Ruby Smith to a suspected broken finger.
“It was definitely tough,” she said. “Losing Ruby in the first 10 minutes I think it was and we were up at that point.
“They’ve got some really awesome players. Payton [Ozsols] she was awesome out there today [Saturday] and Holly McGregor is an awesome player.
“We can’t stop her. If we had someone to come up against her it might have been a different story, too good for us.”
Stefanie Maiorana who kicked the Tigers only goal was named their best after going back into defence.
Emma Kassis-Baker and Sophi Georgantonis were among the others named in the best.
Wright said to get a finals appearance in their first season of their rebuild would only be beneficial in the long run.
“We haven’t played finals in a couple of years and some of these girls haven’t played in a final in their life,” she said.
“To get that experience so early is setting up for next year.”
Wright said they would take this season as a win and were already planning on building on that next season.
“I said in the rooms, it’s not even on the field for us, it’s all about the off field stuff and we’ve really come together as a group,” she said.
“We have kids 16, 17 all the way through to 43 years old, something like that.
“To be able to come together and build that culture is what we wanted to get out of this year and I think we have achieved that.
“We are set up quite well and hopefully get a few players back.”
