Parkside Spurs will take plenty of lessons out of its semi final loss as they aim to bounce back and make the Western Football League women’s grand final.
The Spurs faced an undefeated Caroline Springs in the first week of the finals and it was the Lakers that claimed the win and the first grand final spot.
The Spurs led by three points at the final break before the Lakers kicked three final quarter goals to none to win, 6.11 (47)-4.5 (29).
Spurs coach Callan Tenabel said while they were not near their best, they were still well and truly in the game.
“I think we learned plenty of lessons, we definitely didn’t play as well as I would have hoped,” he said.
“The effort was there and we were very close, obviously. A few of our systems and structures broke down under pressure.
“Because of the season we’ve had comprehensively beating everyone throughout the season, we haven’t been tested since the last time we played them.”
The Spurs only loss for the season came back in round three to the Lakers.
Tenabel said they would have liked to have played them a second time during the regular season.
He said they took a lot out of the loss.
“We spent a lot of time on the footage and on the track just working through that and thinking we will be a better team if we have the opportunity to play them in the grand final.
“To be so close and playing our best footy, hopefully a positive thing for the rest of finals.”
Half the Spurs line up was playing their first senior final, a very different team from the one that played finals last year.
It was all single goalkickers for Spurs in the loss.
Rita Ceravolo, Nadine Lampard and Taquila Angel were named the Spurs best.
The Spurs will now face Yarraville Seddon in a preliminary final on Saturday.
The Eagles beat Werribee Centrals in the elimination final.
Tenabel said they were hoping for another strong test.
“I’m sure hopefully they are a stronger team with more players in than last time we played them,”
“Hopefully a nice good challenge for us and if we can win, we will be better for playing another tight game in finals.
“Finals are always different, while we feel that we are a good team and can’t get ahead of ourselves and think that will be easy.”
