By Tara Murray
The Calder Cannons are through to the NAB League Girl’s finals, after a solid win against the Gippsland Power on Sunday.
For the Cannons, the last few weeks have been like mini-elimination finals with the side needing to keep winning to have a chance to make the top four.
In the end it came down to their final match of the home and away season.
The finals spot was never in doubt during their match against the Power, beating them 5.7 (37)-1.0 (6).
Cannons female talent manager Russell Humphrey said it was pleasing for the girls to have won through to the finals.
“We’re definitely had a bit of luck,” he said.
“We had to win last week and then win against this week
“From where we were last year when we finished second last with not many wins, to turn that around is fantastic.
“It’s credit to the coaching group and players.”
Humphrey said Saturday’s performance against the Power was a strong all round game.
He said they could have easily won by more.
“We didn’t kick as straight as we would have liked,” he said.
“But to kick 5-7 is a great effort.
“It’s credit to the girls and their efforts that they will play finals.”
Georgia Patrikios kicked two goals for the Cannons.
Georgia Sampson was best on ground for her performance in the ruck, while Zali Friswell on the wing and Terira Fry down back were also outstanding.
Humphrey said Fry had at least 10 tackles in the game.
“Her defensive efforts were a big part of the win,” he said.
“Either she was going to tackle an opponent or we were going to win the ball when it got in our defensive 50.”
The Cannons, who finished third, will play the Geelong Falcons on Saturday for a spot in the grand final.
Humphrey said anything could happen come finals time.
“We played them a couple of weeks ago and the would have learnt about us and we learnt about them.
“All four sides in the finals are pretty good.”
In some more good news for the Calder Cannons, six players have earned spots on VFLW lists for this season.
In the other NAB League preliminary final, Northern Knights will face Eastern Ranges.
The Knights claimed the minor premiership after beating Greater Western Victorian Rebels on Sunday.
The Knights winning the final round match, 5.8 (50)-1.0 (6).
Nell Morris-Dalton was named the Knights best.
