St Albans Spur Amy Catterall has a few words with the umpire on Sunday. 69217 Picture: Damian Visentini
BY KATIE LAMBESKI
VICTORIA University St Albans Spurs advanced to the VWFL grand final for the first time since 2004 after defeating Diamond Creek by 74 points at Northcote Oval on Sunday. They will meet reigning champions Darebin at Coburg City Oval this Saturday.
Diamond Creek drew first blood in the tense opening minutes, but that was as good as it got for the Creekers, as the Spurs turned around to kick 13 unanswered goals.
The first quarter was scrappy, as both sides adjusted to the finals footy pressure. After conceding the first goal, the Spurs lifted a gear to finish the quarter strongly, taking a 19-point lead to the break.
The Spurs then took a firm grip on the game, as they put in a disciplined effort and out-ran the Creekers to lead by 41 points at half-time.
The Spurs were asked by the coaches to continue the job and build on their first half efforts. They did just that, sealing their spot in the grand final with a six-goal quarter to hold an unassailable 74-point lead at three-quarter time.
The Creekers had no answers to the Spurs’ renewed power and running game. The coaches were also very pleased at their charges attack on the football.
The fourth quarter saw Diamond Creek score three goals, all answered by the Spurs, in an even but uneventful last quarter.
For the Creekers, Steph Chiocci and Stacey Cross provided much run and were the standouts in a losing side.
For St Albans, in what the coaches described as a team effort produced by hard work and commitment, Kylie Nicolaci was a spark up forward. Lauren Bazeley and Emily Stanyer also put in solid performances for the Spurs.
In the reserves, Darebin defeated Berwick by 82 points and will take on the Spurs in the grand final this Saturday at noon.
