A slow start proved costly for Taylors Lakes in its Essendon District Football League division 2 semi final loss on Saturday.
Playing finals for the first time since 2013, the Lions had the luxury of knowing it had the double chance if things didn’t go to plan against Oak Park.
The first quarter would be the difference in the match. The Kangaroos kicked 6.3 to the Lions seven behinds to lead by 32 points at quarter time.
After that time, it was nine goals apiece with the damage already done, with the Kangaroos winning 15.18 (108)-9.13 (67).
Lions coach Steve Burns said his side would be better for the experience.
“We were OK the last three quarters,” he said. “Up to quarter time we had kicked seven points and they got the jump on us.
“It was always going to be difficult from there and it was nine goals each from there. It was a good learning experience as a lot hadn’t played finals before and it will hold us in good stead.”
Burns said early they couldn’t get a mark inside the forward 50 and most of the shots were snap shots, many of them really gettable shots.
Speaking in the lead up to finals, Burns said they needed to get to another level in finals to beat the top side, but they weren’t able to reach that on Saturday.
“We did a lot of things right and did a lot of things that were not so good,” he said. “I didn’t go off at them after the game.
“It was a learning experience and we took a lot out of it. Our aim was to play finals and we’ve done that and got a minimum of two finals, hopefully three.
“We’re not done and dusted, if we can play our brand we still think we can win it.”
The Lions day was made tougher with a couple of injuries to key players. Aaron Vendramini, who Burns said would be close to leading their best and fairest, broke his ankle and will have surgery on Sunday.
Sonny Briz did his hamstring and they played most of the second half two players down.
Burns said he was proud how they stuck with in the second half and didn’t get blown out of the water and were competitive against an experienced finals side.
Trent Forbes and Andrew Gallina kicked two goals each for the Lions.
Burns said ruck Jake Toa, Chris Vulic was close to best on ground in the midfield and he was impressed with Christian Petersen in his first senior final for his job on Jedd Taylor.
Burns said he expected to have a few down players as they learned how to adjust to playing senior finals.
Burns said while they’re disappointed with the result, they will quickly regroup this week ahead of the preliminary final.
The Lions will face the Northern Saints or the Sunbury Kangaroos.
