It’s been a long season for Craigieburn Eagles in Big V women’s division 1 but there’s light at the end of the tunnel.
After winning in round one, the Eagles had to wait until round 15 for their next win. And, not content with that, they won again the following week.
While the winning streak ended at two, Eagles coach Rod Sweeney said the recent results showed the Eagles were on the right track.
On Saturday night, finals-bound Latrobe City proved too strong, winning 97-64. Natalie Thomas top-scored with 15 points.
“What we’ve been working on has finally clicked and we are able to put it together for four quarters,” Sweeney said.
“There has always been a good attitude even when we’ve been beaten and the girls are always at training.
“They haven’t dropped their heads and they know where we’re going.
“It’s been good to get some wins and I was really proud of what we did in those two weeks.”
Sweeney said one of the biggest changes had been the players’ mindset.
“We’ve tried to teach some of the girls a different way of playing,” he said.
“It’s okay to make mistakes. If the opportunity it there, you can take it.
“With shooting it’s been about looking at the right option and not look for someone else to be the shooter.
“The girls are now demanding the ball and wanting to put it up.”
Sweeney said if the team had started playing like this earlier in the season, they could have won another six games.
“The girls have been playing with a different mindset,” he said. “Now we’re in this position we believe we can beat teams and there’s belief in the team.”
Despite the late-season form, the Eagles look likely to finish last.
With a lower percentage and after losing the head-to-head with Werribee, the only way the Eagles can avoid finishing bottom is if they beat the undefeated Sunbury Jets and the Devils lose to Mildura.
Meanwhile, the Eagles men’s division 2 finals hopes are over after Collingwood upset Coburg.
After beating Maccabi, the Eagles needed Coburg to win to set up a last round mini-elimination final against Collingwood. But it didn’t happen and the Eagles are two games outside the top five with one round left.
Jaak Ponsford was the star for the Eagles in their win, scoring 27 points.
Whittlesea Pacers’ tough season continued with both state championship sides suffering big losses to Eltham
