Taylors Lakes will take plenty of confidence out of its opening finals match, despite suffering a big loss to Gisborne-Kyneton United in the Essendon District Football League women’s division 2 competition.
The Lions faced Gisborne-Kyneton United on Saturday in a qualifying final, with a grand final spot on the line.
For Taylors Lakes, it was the club’s first time playing women’s finals.
The undefeated Gisborne-Kyneton United showed why it is the team to beat with an 11. 4 (70)-1.3 (9) win.
Lions coach Joseph Antonetti said the group were outclassed in the end.
“They [United] played their best,” he said. “We were able to mix it for a lot of the game, but we couldn’t keep with them in the end.
“I said to them [his players] we had a good experience and we now know what finals footy is about. The pace and intensity goes up.
“We’ll take some learnings from it.”
Antonetti said there were a few nerves coming into the game, but they had done their best to make the focus that it was just another game.
The group held a team bonding session on Friday night in the lead up to the game.
Having finished second, the Lions have a second chance and will face the Sunbury Kangaroos in a preliminary final on Saturday.
The Kangaroos beat Roxburgh Park in the elimination final.
Antonetti said his side’s win against the Kangaroos the last time they played would give them plenty of confidence heading into the game.
“It was a massive win, not just in the context of the season, but one of the best wins I’ve been involved in as a coach,” he said.
“They had the edge on us but the way we came out and in the key moments was something we’ll really cherish.”
Antonetti said he felt confident in the group that if they showed the same intensity as they did against Gisborne-Kyneton United they would be in with a good shot of making the grand final.
“Anything can happen,” he said. “There’s everything to play for.”
