West Footscray only just managed to hold on to its lead to send them through to its first Western Region Football League women’s division 2 grand final.
In windy conditions at Pennell Reserve on Sunday afternoon the Roosters started well, leading by 14 points at the first break.
In the second term it was Spotswood’s turn with the wind and it made the most of it, taking back the lead, and getting two points ahead at the main break.
In the third term it seemed like the Roosters had done enough, kicking away putting the margin out to a game high 27 points at three quarter time.
However, the Wolves’ weren’t going to die wondering, coming home with a wet sail in the last quarter kicking three goals, and missing four shots to get them within six points.
With little time on the clock the Wolves had one last chance to send the game into extra time but the ball drifted across the face sending the Wolves home and the Roosters into the big dance.
Jemma Hay and Krystyn Raymundo kicked two goals in the 6.11 (47)- 5.11 (41) win, Roxana Sefton was named the Roosters best on ground.
Roosters’ coach Shane Windridge said it was just a matter of trying to hold on.
“They just kept coming and coming,” he said. “Lucky for us the siren blew when it did. We didn’t want it to go too much longer.”
The Roosters have managed to get into the grand final without the double chance, while kicking out the Wolves in straight sets.
“Last year we were in their boat, we had the double chance and lost both finals, so we were hoping to rectify that,” Windridge said.
“To get into finals is a pretty good effort with us, it’s been a pretty tough year with injuries and everything.”
Now the Roosters are at full strength, bar a couple of season ending knee injuries from early in the season.
“We got plenty of our players back towards the end of the season,” he said.
“We got our ruck back on the weekend, which made a big difference to our side. They just really dominated the ruck and just a real big body allows us to play a couple of other talls in key positions.”
With Wyndhamvale now the task for the Roosters on Sunday morning, where they are embracing the underdog mentality.
“If we can bring our best footy I don’t think there will be too much in it.”
Harper Sercombe
