Tara Murray
Parkside Spurs got their first Western Football League women’s finals win to keep their season alive on Saturday.
Having just missed out on a top two spot, the Spurs faced the Suns in an elimination final on Saturday at Skinner Reserve.
The Suns, who formed this year, were also after their first ever women’s finals win.
It was a strong four quarter performance by the Spurs who came away with the win, 9.6 (60)-4.5 (29).
Spurs coach Callan Tenabel said it was a good feeling to get the win and keep their season going.
“It definitely feels good” he said. “The top four teams were even this year, with every side a chance to win any final.
“It was a hard contest for most of the match. Come towards the end of the first quarter we were able to put some goals on the scoreboard.
“We were able to hold them from there.”
Tenabel said when they had their chances in the first quarter they were able to make the most of them and kick straight.
That resulted in the side leading by 19 points at quarter time, which set up the win.
Tenabel said at the other end the backline was able to hold strong as usual and made it hard for the Suns to score.
Three of their four goals came in the final quarter when the match was over.
Captain Aleisha Casley kicked four goals for the Spurs, while Tara Morgan kicked two. Taquila Angel, Rita Ceravolo and Brooke Hards were named the Spurs best in the win.
Akima Manoah, Sharni Currie and Emily Evans were named the Suns best.
The Spurs win sets up a preliminary final match up with Werribee Centrals on Saturday at Skinner Reserve.
The Centurions lost their qualifying final to Caroline Springs, 8.6 (54)-5.9 (39). It’s a second straight season the Centurions have lost in the first week of finals
The Lakers await the winner of the preliminary final in the grand final on August 31 at Skinner Reserve.
The Lakers will play in a fifth straight grand final.
The Spurs and Centurions played each other in the final round of the regular season with the Centurions winning by 16 points.
It was the first time the teams had played each other this season, with the Spurs having to forfeit the first game between the two teams.
Tenabel said the team that starts the best is likely to be the team to get over the line, which was seen in both semi finals.
“Fingers crossed we can continue on this week,” he said. “They beat us by a couple of goals two weeks ago.
“We’ll have a slightly different team which will be good. I think it’s a 50-50 game.”
