The belief and momentum is growing for Yarraville Seddon as its through to its first Western Football League women’s grand final.
The Eagles hadn’t tasted finals until this season and they have held their nerve twice in two games to win through to the final game of the season from fourth spot.
On Saturday, the Eagles had to come from behind in the final quarter to beat the Parkside Spurs, 3.5 (23)-3.4 (22) in the preliminary final.
Acting Eagles coach Emma Steel said it was an amazing feeling.
“It’s very exciting for us,” Steel said. “It’s obviously a huge achievement for us and to also get two teams up this season is an incredible achievement.
“To have our WFNL team make the grand final is enormous for us.”
It was a wet and cold start to Saturday but conditions improved as the game went along.
The Eagles were able to make the most of the conditions.
Yarraville Seddon kicked the only goal of the first half to lead by seven points heading into the main break.
When the Spurs kicked their first in the third quarter it was back to two points heading into the last.
Steel said it’s a blur what was said at both half time and three quarter time breaks with the Eagles in front.
“I honestly can’t remember what I said,” Steel said. “I think it was to go out and do what we did in the first quarter.
“Get back to what we did in the first quarter, get to the ball first, keep our feet and move the ball up the ground with speed and pace.”
The Spurs kicked the first goal of the final quarter to take the lead for the first time in the game.
The Eagles had the answers though and kicked the next two to lead by nine points heading into the back end of the quarter.
Parkside kept coming and when Mary Sandral kicked truly the margin was back to one point.
Steel said the quarter kept going and going and they were waiting for the siren to finally go.
Steel said they were proud with how the group really responded after being challenged in the last quarter.
“It was a massive effort and the belief not to count themselves out even when they gave up the lead.”
Katelyn Kissack kicked all three goals for the Eagles.
She was named in the best alongside Ashleigh Guest and Rachel Culvenor.
The Eagles now face Caroline Springs in the grand final on Saturday at Spotswood at 12.10pm.
The Lakers, who had the week off, are playing off in a sixth straight grand final. The Lakers have won both games this season between the sides by 64 and 108 points.
Steel said they would continue to adopt the underdog status which they took into the preliminary final.
“Caroline Springs is going to be really tough and it’s good motivation for us.
“We’ve had two massive wins in finals and we’re building at the right time of the season.”
