Tara Murray
Williamstown’s Victorian Football League women’s finals exit has left a sour taste.
After claiming the minor premiership and winning their first final, the Seagulls had two opportunities to make the grand final.
After losing to North Melbourne in the first of those, the Seagulls were left in the lurch of the Western Bulldogs on Sunday.
The Bulldogs, who lost to the Seagulls in the first week of finals, were dominant on Sunday, winning 9.6 (60)-2.4 (14).
Seagulls coach Liam Cavanagh said they were pretty disappointed to go out like that.
“We were far from what we wanted to be,” he said. “The way we went out was pretty underwhelming and it was a sad way to go out.
“I think the sentiment of being pretty proud with our season is 12 months too late. The main thing last year was to qualify for finals, this year we had pretty big ambitions to get to the grand final.
“We failed.”
Cavanagh said while they had a good season and there were a lot of positives out of it, their finals series had left them wanting more
He said against the Bulldogs they never looked likely.
“There were signs that we weren’t quite ourselves,” he said. “We were beaten around the contest and we are normally good around the contest.
“That was the most inside 50s we’ve conceded in a game this season. We had to win in the contest and in getting territory, we didn’t do either.
“It wasn’t our brand on show.”
It was single goal kickers for the Seagulls.
For the Bulldogs, Keeley Hardingham and Mia-Rae Clifford kicked two goals each.
Sarah Skinner and Tamsin Crook had 18 disposals each.
Cavanagh said Zoe Day was her best for their side, doing everything she could do in defence along with Eloise Freeman.
He said their midfield was good also, but they were beaten in transition despite winning the clearances.
Cavanagh also highlighted Phoebe Chisholm in her second game as someone who would continue to build.
The Seagulls will have a bit of a break before going again for next season.
Cavanagh is already contracted for next season and wants to continue to build on what they’ve done the last couple of years.
He said sometimes you have to feel the pain to be better for it.
“There’s good signs for the future,” he said. “We had something like five under-21s in the team.
“There was a lot playing VFLW for the first time and will be better for the experience.
“We’ve already re-signed half our list. Some will retire and from the players we’ve spoken to there’s no indication they want to leave,
“We feel good with what we have and we want to complement that with the game plan and the playing list.”
