Tara Murray
Missed opportunities proved costly for Greenvale as it suffered a second straight Essendon District Football League women’s division 1 grand final loss.
The Jets entered the grand final better placed than 12 months ago, but in the end it was the same result.
Essendon Doutta Stars, who had started to fire at the right time of the season, won their second division 1 premiership, beating the Jets, 7.6 (48)-2.9 (21).
The Jets lead at quarter time by four points, unable to convert any of their shots on goal into goals.
The Stars were able to do that in the second quarter and head into the main break 10 points up.
The Jets kicked two goals early in the third quarter to hit the lead at the four minute mark.
The Stars were able to hold their composure late in the quarter to kick two themselves to take the margin back out to 10 points.
Despite several forays forward in the last quarter the Jets weren’t able to score, with the Stars finishing off with three last quarter goals to come away with the premiership.
Jets coach Troy Newton said the Stars did the little things better and deserved to come away with the premiership.
“It just didn’t go our way,” he said.
“We created more opportunities [than last year] and were in the game a lot more than last year but we couldn’t get the score on the board when we needed to take our opportunities.
“That was probably the difference in the end.”
Newton knows had they been able to kick a couple of goals in the first quarter when they were in control, the result could have been different.
It wasn’t until late in the last quarter that he knew the game wouldn’t be going their way.
“At half time I thought we were still in the game, we were doing a lot right but we couldn’t put the score on the board,” he said.
“We came out and showed what we can do, but didn’t do it for long enough. Even early in the last quarter we had chances but we didn’t convert.
“It was one of those days where some of those things normally go your way and the result could have been different.”
Having already signed on for next season, Newton knows they still have work to go as they look to continue to establish the program.
He said they were hoping to get the group back again next season and hopefully go one better.
“We’ve got a bit of development to do and we obviously have to bring some players in to fill some holes,” he said.
“We will keep working with the young players and keep trying to get better, work to get another opportunity.
“We have five under-18s and I think 13 or 14 who are 20-21 and younger. Across the board we are a young side and we will learn from it and get better, hopefully get another opportunity
“You always lose a few players, but we will be out there to try and get a few more in and keep building the program and have a strong program all the way through, so days like this are a bit more enjoyable.”
In the premier division women’s grand final, Oak Park proved too strong for Aberfeldie, while Airport West completed the perfect season in division 2, beating Aberfeldie 2.
