Finals on line for improving Panthers
BELL Post Hill’s finals chances will be on the line this weekend when it takes on Inverleigh in the GDFL.
After winning one match in from the first six rounds, the Panthers have had wins in two of their past four games, but sit in ninth spot on the ladder — two games behind the fifth-placed Belmont Lions.
With Inverleigh above Bell Post Hill, Panthers coach Joy Grubb knows making the top five will become a tough task should they fail to outscore their opponents on Saturday.
“We really haven’t mentioned anything about finals, all we’re doing is the best we can each week and with all players available we’ll have a better opportunity to score a win,” Grubb said.
“We’re just keeping a positive outlook and we have improved, but we’re a very inexperienced side.
“But I’ve got a bit of a feeling we’re in with a chance (this week).”
Grubb said injuries in the first half of the year caused a significant disruption to Bell Post Hill’s season, but the Panthers would field a fullstrength team against the Hawks for the first time in 2017.
“It took quite a while for the girls to jell, and it was very unfortunate in the first half of the season that we did not have the starting seven available on one occasion due to various commitments,” she said.
“It took a while to adjust and I think we were a little unlucky in some games, but a lack of experience and cohesion with us not being used to each other meant we just missed out.
“Hopefully, we’ll have our full team available this week for the first time this season, so we have our fingers crossed that everything will work for us.”