Whittlesea will use the disappointment finishing this year’s Northern Football League division 2 season without hitting its goal to drive it next year.
The Eagles again made a preliminary final for a second straight year, this time falling short of the grand final by nine points after losing to Macleod for the second time in the same finals series.
Eagles coach Garry Ramsay had mixed feelings on the season and how it played out as a senior club overall.
“Our under-19s are in the grand final and our reserves are in the grand final,” he said.
“Our seniors didn’t achieve their goals though. There’s still improvements there with our 19s going a game further and reserves a game further.
“But our seniors stayed the same.”
Ramsay said the preliminary final loss to Macleod was pretty disappointing from a senior perspective.
The qualifying final between the two teams saw the Kangaroos come from more than 50 points down to claim the win.
This time there was not much in it all day as the Kangaroos won, 11.16 (82)-11.8 (74).
“It was a disappointing result,” Ramsay said. “We matched up pretty well and we could not get the job done.
“There was more of a focus on this year and winning it.”
Ramsay said while they were disappointed not to achieve what they set out to do, he was full of credit of the players’ behaviour to get them to where they did.
“We had been there before with one finals series and the experience was there,” he said.
“This year was a little bit different to last year, the expectations were higher this year.”
Ramsay, who has already re-signed for next year, said they were keen to have another crack next year.
“There might be some turnover,” he said. “I’m not sure what some of the older players will be doing.
“There will still be a real local player focus.
“We’ll definitely be aiming to win it. We’re disappointed in this year and we will put everything in our power to win it next year.”
