By JARROD POTTER
DIVISION 1 – Round 5
DRAW… a word that radiates hollowness and despondency – and sometimes a feeling even worse than loss itself.
Cranbourne and Knox could not be split despite four quarters of hard-slog in the trenches at Schultz Reserve as the final score read 9.5 (59) to 9.5 (59).
Goals to Alicia Johnson and Hayley Wildes pushed Cranbourne back into the clash through the final term, but Knox was able to keep the scores level after a frantic final few minutes.
Going to its usual arsenal, Cranbourne’s Hayley Wildes (4 goals), who continues to have a blinder of a debut senior season, and Bianca Jakobsson (2 goals) relished the postage-stamp sized field and dominated thoroughly.
Cara Moody had the biggest ruck battle on her hands as she faced WNBL basketball champion Alison Downie through the second half, while the Eagles midfield also had to push through the Falcons’ attack.
“It’s hard to explain – it was a good game and it went blow for blow,” Smith said.
“Couple of goals up at half-time then they threw Al Downie into the ruck.
“She definitely gave them more drive and we were a little bit sleepy in the third quarter.
“Came back into the last term – thought we were gone – but with a never give up attitude… probably could’ve pinched it… but just fell short.”
Smith praised Wildes and Tess McEvoy, for standing up through the midfield, while Corrine Cullis and Danielle Hardiman also earned the coach’s respect for a dour effort across half back.
By and large though, the lacklustre effort at the goalmouth disappointed Smith and was something the Eagles needed to work on before hosting Eastern Devils this weekend at home from 12pm.
“Just didn’t capitalise on the forward 50 entries – the forwards are getting to the footy, just not taking the marks we need to take,” Smith said.
“Just need to improve on the things we didn’t do well on the weekend.”
DIVISION 3 – Round 4
IN THE first – of hopefully many regional battles – Endeavour Hills stormed over Cranbourne’s seconds with a 21.11 (137) to 0.1 (1) triumph.
A hard-fought match favoured the Falcons’ firsts team emphatically as Georgia Punton (8 goals), Sarah Wallace and Siona Pilkington (4 goals each) relished their chances. Rebecca Sherry, Wallace and Ash Ladson were best afield for the Falcons while Emily Wallace, Areeb Hassan and Kate Crowther were the Eagles’ best.
The high-flying Falcons continue to rocket ahead of the pack in Division 3 – with 2750 per cent – and face Kew away while Cranbourne hosts Mordialloc.
Cranbourne WFC is on the hunt for a new sports trainer – if anyone is interested in the role, contact Eagles coach Kris Smith on 0402 253 371.
