SOUTH Mildura had a more than solid hit-out before this week’s A Grade elimination final with a comfortable 27-goal victory over Imperials at the Mildura Sporting Precinct.
On a chilly day in which the players had to endure a freezing and strong southerly breeze washed down with a more than healthy dousing of rain squalls, the fifth-placed Bulldogs adapted quickly to the task at hand.
They cut down on long passes, got the ball as close to the net as possible and held a 13-5 lead against Imperials at the first break.
The hosts then increased that each quarter on their way to the final 51-24 scoreline – low-lighted by 13 goals between the teams in the last quarter.
Big chill aside, South coach Tara Bate was warmed by the efforts of her charges as they head into the nitty-gritty part of the season and a knockout encounter with No. 4 Ouyen United at Blackburn Park on Sunday.
“We were hoping to get a nice big win up our sleeves, so it was good to finish off the (regular) season like that,” said Bate, who plays centre for the side when fit but is sidelined for the rest of the campaign.
“If the girls play like they did today I think we can get it in the bag (at Ouyen),” she said.
“They did an exceptionally great job realising the wind was going to take over and adapted to it. I was stoked with how each one of them played. For me, Regan (Zaxos) was really consistent through the whole court and Maddie (Jess) did an extremely good job in the ring on such a windy day.”
For Imperials’ first-year coach Ali Walker this season was all about building toward the future, but she has noticed tangible advancement among the senior squads this year.
“We have had some really good games, really good quarters but we just can’t string it together consistently and that comes with time, but it’s been really nice to see the team’s improvement,” Walker said.
“We have finished in the same position in A Grade as last year (seventh) but across our senior teams we have won about 45 games or so as opposed to 12 or something last year … it will just take time to build the club back up.”
On a dour day for the visitors, defender Laci McHugh and centre Tracey Sherlock were named their best.
South Mildura 54 d Imperials 25
BEST: South Mildura: Regan Zaxos, Madison Jess.
Imperials: Tracey Sherlock, Laci McHugh.
