Altona kept its season alive in the Hockey Victoria men’s premier league with victory on Saturday against the KBH Brumbies.
Facing off in an elimination final, the Seagulls, who finished sixth, faced the Brumbies who finished one spot below them.
Seagulls president Alex Tyrrell said it was a good game from their perspective.
“We played well,” he said. “We went in with confidence.
“It was 2-1 and we were definitely on top for most of the game.
“KBH got a goal back late. We had a few players out and they had a few out as well in the end.”
Young star Cooper Burns scored both of Altona’s goals.
It was a big weekend for the Seagulls with their reserves getting an upset win against Footscray, 3-2.
The Seagulls had finished the regular season in eighth spot, while Footscray had finished in fifth.
Both sides will play Doncaster in knockout semi finals this weekend.
Tyrrell said they would hopefully get Heath McDonald back this week from injury, but said Connor Otterbach was still a couple of weeks off.
“Our two best players are Cooper, who scored the goals and Connor,” he said. “Connor hurt his hamstring in an Australian camp and did it quite well.
“He’s out for 10 weeks total. He’s back running and the main aim for him is the state competition, Hockey One and representing HC Melbourne.
“If we go deep into finals, he has a chance to play.”
Burns has also been named in the HC Melbourne squad along with Nye Roberts.
Carly James has been named in the women’s squad. The women’s team finished the season in ninth spot, one spot outside finals, which Tyrrell said was a really good achievement.
The aim had been to avoid relegation with the competition being reshaped after this season.
Meanwhile, Footscray will have to win through to the grand final the hard way after losing its qualifying final.
Last year’s runners up faced minor premiers Camberwell, losing 3-1. Captain Rosario Villagra was the goal scorer for the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs will now face Waverley.
Tara Murray
