By Tara Murray
The Calder Cannons’ stunning late season form has continued, with the Cannons winning through to the NAB League Girl’s grand final.
Having had to win the past two rounds to even make the finals, the Cannons caused an upset on Saturday knocking off the Geelong Falcons.
The Falcons entered the match as favourites, having lost just once in the past two seasons, but a hot start from the Cannons left them stunned.
They never recovered, with the Cannons winning 7.4 (46)-1.5 (11).
Cannons’ female talent co-ordinator Russell Humphrey said it was a pretty exciting feeling having won through to the final game of the year.
“We’re very happy,” he said. “The players, the parents, the club.
“The whole place is up and about.”
Humphrey said they couldn’t have asked for a better start to the match. He said the girls had come out switched on.
The Cannons had a three goal to nil lead after the first quarter and controlled the rest of the match.
“We were on right from the start,” Humphrey said.
“That’s our best first quarter for the season.
“After three goals to nil in the first quarter, they were shocked.
“We got them on a bad day, but you can’t take anything away from our girls. They played some really good football.”
Zoe Hardiman was the only multiple goalscorer on the ground, kicking two goals for the Cannons.
Emelia Yassir continued her good form and was named the Cannons’ best.
Other standouts were Georgie Prespakis, Georgia Patrikios and Georgia Sampson.
Humphrey also praised the backline which included the likes of Felicity Theodore, Peppa Poultney and Kasey Lennox.
Humphrey said the girls had responded well to their season being on the line the past three weeks and played some really good football.
The Cannons, who are looking for their second premiership in three years, will now face the Northern Knights in the grand final on Saturday at Ikon Park.
The two teams haven’t faced each other this season.
Humphrey said they were looking forward to a good game.
“They played before us on Saturday and we got a bit of a look at them,” he said. “They are a talented side and hopefully it will be a good contest on the day.
There’s a few Carlton supporters in the team who are looking forward to playing on Ikon park.”
It’s been a big week for three Cannons’ girls who have been named in the initial Vic Metro squad for the under-18 national championships.
Theodore, Patrikios and Alana Barba have been named in the squad of 30. All three girls are also on Essendon VFLW’s list for this year.
Humphrey said they were hopeful of having another four or five players named in the under-16 squad when that’s released.
Meanwhile, the Calder Cannons’ boys returned to the winners’ list, beating the Murray Bushrangers 18.9 (117)-10.7 (67) on Saturday.
Ned Gentile was named the Calder Cannons’ best.
MORE NAB LEAGUE NEWS
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/northern-knights-ready-for-second-grand-final/
