Eagles land in another GF
NEWTOWN & CHIL ST ALBANS 65 42
NEWTOWN & Chilwell will play its sixth consecutive grand final after outgunning St Albans with a 23-goal win in Saturday’s second semifinal. The Supersaints challenged the Eagles early before Newtown flicked the switch in the second quarter with a strong term powered by full-court defensive pressure. By halftime, the Eagles, who have not lost since 2012, held a 13-goal lead. Despite the Supersaints’ best defensive efforts, the Eagles proved how deadly they are in the goal circle. Shooting at 94 and 88 per cent accuracy, respectively, Kathleen Knott (42 goals) and Julia Woolley (22 goals) didn’t give the Supersaints many opportunities to convert from rebounds. At the other end, the Eagles struggled to contain Jane Cook TOMORROW: FOUR-PAGE SPECIAL EVERY BFL JUNIOR PREMIER (39 goals), who was responsible for all bar three of St Albans’ goals.
Newtown & Chilwell coach Jason Woolley said limiting Cook’s impact on the game would be crucial if the two sides meet again in the grand final in a fortnight.
“They’ve got great strength and depth, they’re an excellent side. Players like Cook and Maggie Lind are dangerous,” he said.
Woolley said his side would take it easy during the week off, but will play an intra-club practice match next weekend.
“Luckily at this stage we got through injury-free. Ultimately the aim was to get the job done and get through the day,” he said.
“We’ll have our heads down as usual this week, so it’s back to training and we’ll be fresh for the big game.”
While he does not underestimate any of the remaining sides, Woolley is expecting to see St Albans again in the grand final.
“They’ve shown they’re a really strong side. They’ve also got recent grand final experience as well so we’re really starting from scratch. We just need to stick to our game plan,” he said.
In yesterday’s first semifinal, South Barwon defeated St Mary’s, 61-56.