Tara Murray
A finals appearance this season was beyond the wildest dreams of Thomastown when it set about fielding an inaugural women’s side in the Northern Football League.
After only having a handful of players at training early days, the Bears will play in a division 2 elimination final on Saturday.
Coach David Hatzis said it was unbelievable for the group.
“It’s fantastic,” he said. “We only had three, four, five goals at training in October, November and December.
“There’s been massive development. Most of them are between 17 and 23, they had a good 10 years ahead of them.
“It’s great.”
The Bears entered their final round clash with Whittlesea knowing what they had to do in the final round.
A win they would play finals, a loss they would miss out.
The Bears led by 18 points at half time and were able to hold on as the Eagles came hard in the second half, winning 2.12 (24)-2.3 (15).
Hatzis said there was a fair bit of relief once the final siren went.
“We copped a couple of injuries early and we had no rotations,” he said. “We knew what was needed to do.”
Finals come after the Bears started the season in division 3 for grading but after starting 3-1 they were pushed up a division.
Hatzis said it had been an amazing first season.
“We’ve had six or seven netballers who have never played football before,” he said.
“We’ve had 40 on the list. It has been an amazing ride for us as an integral team to where we are now.”
Thomastown faces Lower Plenty on Sunday at 2pm in the elimination final at Epping Recreation Reserve.
Hatzis said everything else this season will be a bonus.
“I said to the girls to enjoy the ride,” he said. “Whatever happens from here is a bonus.
“This year was a foundation year and set things in place.”
In division 3, South Morang will face Panton Hill in a qualifying final on Sunday.
