Tough task in preliminary final

TACKLING Lavington Panthers in Sunday's North East Border Female Football League preliminary final was always going to be a tough ask, but Wangaratta Rovers' open women were buoyed by the strong show of support at their first home final. The Hawks had never defeated Lavington before, but the buzz word for the game was 'effort'. They knew that if each player went into each contest, laid each tackle, took each mark and with each kick put in 100 per cent effort, they would come away from the game proud of their 2022 season. The match started hard and fast, with both teams keen to make the first impact on the scoreboard, and neither giving an inch. Emma Gosbell was brilliant in the middle, breaking packs and forcing the ball forward at every opportunity, while Mikaela Trethowan provided run and carry off the half–back line and propelled the ball deep into the Rovers' forward line, as the Hawks got the first score of the game – a behind. Backline players Kate Burns, Jacinta Findlay, Crystal Stevens and Ally Ballard held their players tightly and attacked each contest with a ferocious intensity, and the quarter ended with Lavington leading by a goal and the Rovers feeling confident they were in the contest. After the quarter time break, the Rovers came out keen to make an impact and apply pressure to the Lavington players. Leanne Branson was brilliant on the wing and speedily got around her opposition player, kicking the ball to the half–forward flank, while Bianca Mulqueen took some fantastic contested marks in the forward half of the ground. Jess Maddy, going in hard for the ball, took a nasty knock to the head and came from the ground. Amy Collins dominated the ruck contests, tapping the ball to the advantage of midfield players, while Celia Piesse worked tirelessly all day, making contest after contest. The Rovers were unable to get the ball deep into the forwards until a breakthrough saw Trethowan take a mark and play on to score the Rovers' first goal of the day. The Hawks went into the half–time break a couple of goals down, but happy with the effort of each player. In the words of 200+ gamer Bron McGorlick: "That is the best first half we have ever played against Lavi". The third quarter continued much the same as the first half, with Lavington just on top and the Rovers desperately trying to keep in the contest. Jess Byrne laid a fantastic tackle and applied pressure and, following up an outstanding first half, Bron McGorlick continued to be in–and–under, winning the contested ball and moving it to the Hawks' advantage. Hollie Venness took some great marks and then hit her target down the ground, and Helen Collins ran with her player and never let her get a clean possession. The Rovers held Lavington to one goal for the quarter, but were unable to get any majors on the board, and went into three quarter time trailing by three goals. Lavington got on top of the Rovers in the final term, and the ball spent most of the time in the Rovers' defensive half. Jo Maples was brilliant and took some great contested marks, while Amy Hopkins pushed up the ground a bit and won the ball before hitting up Deb Platfuss with a great kick. Megan Quick moved into the forward line and attacked the ball, winning a good contest at ground level, then got the ball out to Kat Ginnivan, who ran past quickly and moved the ball forward. It wasn't to be for the Rovers, going down to a Lavington team that was just too good, and will face Wodonga Raiders in next weekend's grand final. Final score: Lavington Panthers 6.5 (41) defeated Wangaratta Rovers 1.3 (9). Goal: Mikaela Trethowan.

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