Futures fall short of impressive comeback

By Dylan Bolch

The Futures girls fell agonisingly short of a come-from-behind win against the Eastern Ranges at Kilsyth Recreation Reserve in Round 3.

After the 19s girls went down by 13 points earlier in the day and the Futures girls were hoping to turn the tables on a strong Eastern Ranges side.

The Dragons ball movement was clean and quick early as they managed to execute several end-to-end transitions early in the contest.

Carly Witts was pivotal in the air taking several intercept marks, whilst Kera Galaminda was lively forward of centre.

Alex Stranger kicked the first goal of the match 16 minutes in, after Emily Gough found her in a one-on-one contest in the goal square.

The Dragons defence managed to hold the Ranges at bay for the first quarter, but the Ranges recorded their first major midway through the second term.

Three goals in as many minutes on the stroke of half time gave the Ranges the advantage at the main break.

Looking to redeem themselves from a tough end to the first half, the Dragons girls came out breathing fire and Tiger Doultree kicked a beautiful set shot to reel the margin back to 14 points seven minutes in to the second half.

Lily Parsons was eye-catching on the wing throughout the match and provided one of the highlights of the game with a fantastic goal on the run from about 30 metres out.

It was all Sandringham in the third quarter as Jacinta Boyd got in on the act as well, kicking a goal just minutes after Parsons to get the Dragons right back in the contest.

The beginning of the final stanza was tense as neither side were able to gain any real ascendency on the contest.

Amelia Luca was the first to stand up in the clinches, booting her first goal of the day to put the Dragons two points in front with nine minutes left.

The midfielder drew a free kick after a gut-busting run to the top of the goal square, where she left two Ranges defenders in her wake.

Eastern wrestled the momentum back against the run of play with two goals but Boyd bobbed up for her second to get the Dragons back within a kick with four minutes left on the clock.

Time wasn’t on the Dragons side, as they ultimately succumbed to a five-point defeat despite a valiant comeback effort.

There was a lot to like about the Dragons performance, who are up against the Western Jets in their next match on February 20 following a bye this weekend.

Eastern Ranges 0.1 – 4.4 – 4.5 – 6.10

Sandringham Dragons 1.1 – 1.2 – 4.4 – 6.5

Goal Kickers: Jacinta Boyd 2, Alex Stranger, Tiger Doultree, Lily Parsons, Amelia Luca

Best Players: Tiger Doultree, Julie Goldman, Carly Witts, Jacinta Boyd