Hillside has capped off a brilliant season of development with a well-deserved finals berth in the Essendon District Football League women’s premier division.
No one, not even the Sharks themselves, predicted the rise of the side this year.
Coach Justin Fairservice said pre-season the aim was to show they belonged in the top division.
They finished the regular season fifth.
“We trained really hard and worked really hard,” he said.
“We never thought we would be there.
“We were happy to win a few games and stay in premier division.
“We said after five rounds, imagine if we could get there.
“Everyone is really excited.”
The Sharks sealed their finals berth on Friday night with a win against Burnside Heights.
The Sharks needed to win that game or hope the Sunbury Kangaroos beat Westmeadows to finish fifth.
Both happened and as a result the Sharks finished six points clear of Westmeadows.
The Sharks’ match against the Bears was one of their best.
In wet conditions, the Sharks won 12.9 (81)-3.2 (20).
The Sharks were switched on from the start, leading 32-0 at the first break.
Fairservice was pleased they were able to determine their own finals destiny.
He said it was a match the players wanted to win against their local rival.
“The conditions were not great and we played good football,” he said.
“The midfield really helped with that.
“The girls wanted to win and wanted to win the ball which was important in the wet.”
Fiona Pazsa and Rachael Burton kicked three goals each for the Sharks.
Carrie-Anne Lynch and Burton were named the Sharks’ best.
The win sets up an elimination final clash with Burnside Heights on Saturday.
Fairservice said it would be different playing the same side twice in a row.
He said he expected the Bears to come out focused.
“They will come out differently,” he said.
“We lost the first game by two points and then won this week.
“Hopefully we’ll be on top this week.”
Fairservice said they weren’t expecting anything going into this week.
He said while they would love to progress through into the second week of finals, they weren’t focusing on that.
“It’s how we acquit ourselves,” he said.
“If we play well and we lose, we’ve done well this year. If we play well and win, it’s where we should be.
“Anything can happen.”
In the other match-up in the first week of finals, Keilor will face the Sunbury Kangaroos.
The winner of that will play Aberfeldie for a spot in the grand final.
The loser will play the winner of Hillside and Burnside Heights.
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