By Tara Murray
It was a disappointing end to pleasing season for Keilor Park in the Essendon District Football League Women’s division 1 competition.
Having shown great form towards the back end of the season, the Devils weren’t able to maintain it when it counted.
On Saturday, they were knocked out, losing their preliminary final to Maribyrnong Park, 7.4 (46)-2.1 (13).
Devils coach Brent Cooper said they probably weren’t switched on as much as they should have been.
“We weren’t fully focused on beating Maribrynong,” he said.
“We didn’t show up like we wanted to and a few players got found out.
“In the toughest moments, we weren’t in the right places.”
There was just one point in it at quarter time with the Lions extending the margin to seven at the main break.
Even at three quarter, the Devils were still in the game, 13 points down. The Lions ran away with it in the final quarter.
Cooper said it was full credit to the Lions who came switched on and ready to play.
“We were out run, out played and were smashed in the midfield.
“They [the Lions] have stepped it up fantastically and are really well disciplined and got the ball first, run harder and spread harder. That was the difference.”
Samantha German kicked both goals for the Devils.
Centre half back Caitlin Holzheimer was the Devils best according to Cooper.
“We would have lost by 100 points without her.
“She intercepted everything that she could. We got smashed In the middle and there was a barrage of ball down there.”
Jordan Gwynne, Ashlee Atkins, Chloe Seymour and Meghan Patrick were the other standouts for the Devils.
Cooper said at this point, there’s a bit of what might have been.
He said they felt like they deserved a grand final spot.
“We had developed a system for the players to show their talents and were doing everything right up until have way through the last quarter against the Doutta Stars.”
While disappointed with the exit from the finals, Cooper said looking at the bigger picture it had been a successful season.
The Devils won just one game last year in their first season.
“The most important thing is not winning or losing, but creating a strong environment that people want to be a part of,” he said.
“We’ve seen development as individuals and as a team. It’s amazing to have got into the position to play three finals from where we come from, with no junior background.”
Keilor Park already has one eye on next season and further developing the female program.
Cooper said the club would again look to run a development program that was so successful this year.
They also want to expand their number of teams from one to at least three.
“We want to shoot for two women’s teams, so we can cater for all levels of football,” Cooper said.
“We want to have a team in premier division.
“We’re also looking at having an under-15s team and the senior girls are keen to help out with that.”
The Lions will face the Essendon Doutta Stars in the grand final on Saturday.
Keilor will play Aberfeldie in the premier division grand final. The Blues beat Hillside on Saturday.
