Yarraville Seddon’s first foray into Western Football League women’s finals will go for at least another week, after a first up win on Saturday.
The Eagles made their finals debut on Saturday in an elimination final against the reigning premiers, Werribee Centrals.
Despite not having that same finals experience, the Eagles were able to respond after being challenged.
The two teams traded the lead throughout the game with the Centurions leading by two points at three quarter time.
But two goals to one in the final quarter was enough for the Eagles to get the win, winning 7.3 (45)-6.4 (40).
Acting Eagles coach Emma Steel said it was pretty exciting for the group.
“It was massive,” Steel said. “It was our first opportunity in finals as a group.
“There was a lot of pressure going in and we were good enough to come away with the win. They had been there and done that before and it was entirely new for us.
“We’d had a couple of close losses against them this year which had been disappointing, but also heartening.”
The Eagles started well as they kicked the first two goals of the game. They still led by five points at half time.
Steel said the Centurions came at them a number of times but they were able to stand up when challenged.
“We set the standard early and we adjusted to the pressure,” Steel said. “Werribee came back as we knew they would.”
Down at three quarter time, Steel said they used what they had learned from the week before against West Footscray when they came from behind to get the win.
Steel said having not done that previously it gave them plenty of confidence heading into the biggest game of the club’s history.
“We were able to dig deep and find a way to get the win.”
A big positive for the Eagles on Saturday was having all three of their AFLW players out on the park together, which had been something they were looking forard.
Akec Makur Chuot and Phoebe McWilliams were both named in the best, while Ashleigh Guest was also out there.
Steel said the trio bring a huge amount of experience.
Also in the side was co-captain Roise Ronan-Yates, who was named best on ground.
She has played just six senior games this season.
“She can understand the flow of the game and can bring others into the game,” Steel said.
Katelyn Kissack was the leading goalkicker on the ground, finishing with three goals.
The Eagles now face Parkside Spurs in the preliminary final this Saturday.
The Spurs lost their qualifying final to Caroline Springs, which will await the winner of the preliminary final in the grand final.
Steel said while it’s a huge challenge from them, they were looking forward to it.
“They have beaten us during the season,” they said.
“We do have what it takes to beat them.”
