The big test awaits Pakenham

Pakenham midfielders, from left, Lauren Hojnacki, Rachel Betteridge and Sophie Gray will be key players when the Lions take on Karingal in the second semi-final at Holm Park Reserve on Saturday.

SOUTH EAST WOMEN’S

REVIEW – ROUND 14

DIVISION ONE

Cranbourne and Seaford will meet for the second time in a fortnight, with the two clubs set to go head-to-head in the semi-final at Casey Fields on Saturday.

Seaford got the best of their final home and away encounter on Saturday, however in a big confidence booster ahead of the crunch final, 3.14 (32) to 2.3 (15).

The Tigers were plagued by inaccuracy, but eventually got things on their own terms and ran away convincing winners.

Emily Browning and Laura Robinson were in the best for the Eagles.

DIVISION TWO

Beaconsfield finished the season on a high note, knocking over Eastern Devils in Mulgrave on Sunday, 3.4 (22) to 2.3 (15).

The Eagles – who finish with 6-8 season record and finish just outside the finals – clawed their way back from an early deficit to bank a huge win that will give them confidence heading into the pre-season.

Cranbourne, meanwhile, geared up for its semi-final against Seaford with a win against the very side on Saturday, 9.4 (58) to 3.6 (24).

Sheridan Holland and Alana Bell made life difficult for the Tigers with three goals each.

DIVISION THREE

Pakenham will look to capitalise on a wonderful season in SEWF Division Three when the top-of-the-ladder Lions take on Karingal in the second semi-final at Holm Park Reserve on Saturday.

The Lions will head in confident of booking a ticket to this year’s grand final despite a 37-point loss to a bolstered up Mornington outfit at Citation Reserve in Mt Martha last week.

The loss ended the Lions’ hopes of an undefeated season but the challenge of taking on some high-quality division one talent provides the perfect preparation for this year’s finals series.

The Lions were held scoreless in the first term by a fired up Bulldogs outfit that needed to win to keep its finals hopes alive. The Bulldogs were ferocious at the ball and played with great enthusiasm but the Lions held firm to trail by just two points at quarter time.

Coach Tom Bluhm asked his players to lift in the second quarter and they all responded, with inaccuracy in front of goal – a common curse for this team – costing the Lions from being a little closer than the 11-point deficit at the main break.

The third quarter was once again a real arm wrestle before Mornington extended its 17-point lead at three-quarter time to 37 points at the final siren.

Sage Hahn kicked the only goal for the Lions, early in the third term, while Ros Cook, Mel Stocker, Renee Carter, Sophie Gray, Zoe Loudon and Chloe Nagel all had an influence around the ground.

This week’s second semi-final sees the Lions take on the Bulls, a team the Lions have conquered twice during the regular season. Pakenham won by 13 points at Karingal in round two before producing a great performance to win by 26 points at Toomuc Reserve in round nine.

The Lions engine-room of Bel McGee, Lauren Hojnacki, Rosie Bureta, Rachel Betteridge and Gray will look to dominate the stoppages and give key forwards Rosie Davis and Hahn some early looks at goal.

The Lions would like the Pakenham community to get behind them as they head into a finals series in just their second season of existence. The game kicks off at Holm Park Reserve, Beaconsfield, at 1pm on Saturday.

Officer, meanwhile, finished its season off with a 40-point loss to Karingal at Starling Road, 5.10 (40) to 0.0 (0).