The Altona Falcons will be shooting for glory in the Victorian Men’s and Mixed Netball Association M-League premier men’s grand final.
The Falcons, who finished the regular season in second spot, won its preliminary final but it wasn’t without a fright.
The Falcons trailed the Geelong Cougars 17-12 at quarter time of the preliminary final on Wednesday night.
The margin was back to three goals at half time.
Altona had its best quarter of the game in the third quarter to lead by three goals heading into the final quarter.
It was a battle in the final quarter, with the Falcons doing enough to come away with a 61-60 win.
Falcons’ Josh Smith said he was really proud of the group and the way they fought back.
“It was very much a hard slog,” he said. “We fought back really well.
“It was the Australian scoring end against the Australian defensive end.
“There were some amazing passages of play from some amazing athletes.
“It was nice to be on court with them.”
Smith said it was really good for the competition to have those level of players and said the competition had gotten stronger each year.
He said the message at quarter time was really simple for coaches Alexia McConnell and Jarrod Mills.
City West Falcons midcourter Maggie Lind has also been helping out on the bench.
“It was about having a really good game plan,” Smith said.
“We were down at quarter time and we worked out what we were doing and what we had to change.
“We had a chat and things started to fall into place.
“This team has shown it can fight back. Last time we played them we were 11 down and won by one.
“It’s amazing.”
Smith said the Falcons crowd was massive and gave them a lift in the second half when they really needed it.
He said that connection and Falcons family had come through for the men’s side as well.
The Falcons will face St Therese’s in the grand final.
St Therese’s is undefeated this season. They beat the Falcons 76-47 in the semi finals.
“If we play like we did this week, I think we’re a good chance.” Smith said.
While the Falcons premier men are through to the grand final, the Falcons under-14s were knocked out./
The boys lost their preliminary final.
Smith said it was disappointing they weren’t able to make the grand final in their first year, but they were so proud of the side.
“They’ve had an amazing season,” he said. “The way they have improved under Marg (Lind).
The premier men grand final is being held on 17 December 7.40pm at the State Netball Centre.
