Loss paves tough finals path

GEELONG must take the hard route to the Vic League 1 hockey grand final after a 1-0 second semi-final loss to Yarra Valley at the State Netball Hockey Centre yesterday.

It was Geelong’s first loss in a season which saw it win 16 of 18 matches, with two draws.

One of those draws was against next Sunday’s preliminary final opponent Old Xaverians, which won yesterday’s first semi-final against Penleigh Essendon Grammar 2-0.

Despite the setback, Sharks coach Paul Schram was more than confident his side will bounce back next Sunday.

“We squandered a few chances today,’’ he said. “They only had two or three corner chances, while we had six to eight, but we played really well though and it was a high class game. It was open, hard, fast and physical.”

Schram said it was only a 30-second lapse in concentration which allowed Yarra Valley’s centre half Erroll Whinnen to deflect a shot past the goalkeeper to score in the 53rd minute. “I would rather lose now than in two weeks, but I’m not stressed about our chances next week,’’ he said.

Scott Cullen made a welcome return from two weeks out due to work commitments to be Geelong’s best, while Jett Mitchell in defence and Jack Chadwick in midfield also stood out.

It was a tough weekend for Geelong in state league finals with three junior teams losing finals matches on Friday night.

The Sharks under 16 girls lost their Shield final 5-3 to Toorak East Malvern after a dramatic penalty shootout. Tied at 1-1 at full time, TEM took the honours 4-2 in the shootout.

The under 16 Mixed Shield team bowed out with a 3-1 loss to KBH Brumbies, with Isaac Timms scoring the goal for the Sharks, while the under 14 girls Shield B side went down 4-3 to Mentone, with Ellie Samsa scoring a hat-trick.