THE destiny of the Geelong Falcons NAB League Girls finals hopes remains in their hands despite suffering a club record loss in the penultimate round of the season.
Missing up to ten first-choice players, including a quartet of guns on Vic Country duty, the Falcons were no match the Eastern Ranges, losing 14.9 (93) to 3.0 (18).
Despite lacking its top-end talent, coach Paul Corrigan refused to use their absence as an excuse.
“Eastern was very good, and they were missing some talent, too, with their girls playing for (Vic) Metro,” he said.
“The depth of their talent is pretty exceptional, and they’ll go pretty deep into the finals; they’re the ones to beat, along with Dandenong.
After the Falcons kicked the game’s first goal, the Ranges took control of the contest, slotting 11 majors before the home team found their second goal during the last quarter.
The visitors comfortably won the possession count 287-172 and, as a result, dominated the inside 50s 40-19.
“I think we were a bit shellshocked early on,” Corrigan.
“They controlled the play, and they controlled a lot of the contest early and put us on the back foot until halftime.
“After half time, I thought our girls responded a little bit and played some better footy.”
Kara Stacey was the standout for the Falcons with 17 disposals.
“She’s been really close to Vic Country selection, and I thought she was really impressive,” Corrigan said.
“As an elder statesman of the club, she took a leadership role, and I thought she performed really well.”
The Falcons will welcome back captain Charlotte Simpson from injury and Vic Country representatives Keeley Hardingham, Lizzie Dowling, Mia van Dyke and Analea McKee among numerous inclusions for the final round clash with Bendigo Pioneers.
A win over the Pioneers will guarantee the Falcons a meeting with the Dandenong Stingrays in the Country semi-final on the first weekend of April.
A loss would leave the door open for Tasmania to snatch their spot if Corrigan’s charges couldn’t overcome the Pioneers.
“You want to take winning form into the finals,” he said.
“Fingers crossed, we get those girls back, perform well next week, and play that first final.”
Twitter: @tom_king79
