By LIAM TWOMEY
AFTER a brilliant day on the track, Western Athletics will almost certainly have four teams in the Athletics Victoria State Shield final in February.
The 40-plus women, 40-plus men, under-18 women and under-14 boys teams appear all but certain to qualify for finals with just two rounds of competition remaining.
It was an outstanding day for the 40-plus men’s division on Saturday, who topped the day’s results and will need to only score another three points to make their second successive shield final.
Western Athletics publicity officer Peter Gavaghan was rapt with the performance from all athletes.
“We had 80 athletes attending, our third best turn out this season and, more importantly, we had athletes throughout every age divisions do extra events. By filling those spots we don’t just earn points, we deny them to our rivals,” he said.
“All-in-all it was a terrific team effort.
“The 40-plus men were exceptional, it is the first time we have won the day in the three
seasons the team has existed.
“We needed to do it and we did it against the two largest teams in the division.”
The good news doesn’t stop there for Western Athletics with another two teams also looking to fight their way into the finals.
Both the under-16 women and under-18 men still have a chance of making the state shield.
Saturday saw the under-16 women claw their way back into second spot on the division ladder and now enjoy a one point lead over Preston and 1.5 point lead over Essendon.
The under-18 men need to finish above Essendon in the final round to have a chance of making the final.
Gavaghan said it was great for the club to have so many teams in finals contention and he was confident those who made it would give it their all on the big stage.
“For finals, each region, which includes Country Victoria, come down to Lakeside and we have a whole day of competition,” he said.
“There are certainly some strong teams out there but we are in the mix, that’s for sure. We will have to do our best on the day and hopefully sustain no injuries.
“That (injuries) is always a bit of a problem that all the clubs have to deal with. You might have a substitute but they probably won’t be up to the same standard. With relays counting for double points it is really important to get through injury free.
