The point of it all

An excited group of Felines travelled down to the WJ Findlay Oval in Wangaratta to play the Wodonga Raiders in the North East and Border Female Football Under 17 Preliminary Final.

Football conditions were close to perfect, and this was matched by the excellent condition of the oval. There were close to 1,000 people to watch the match and the Felines supporters were out in force occupying the first tiers of the grandstand to cheer on their team.

Hopes were high in the Felines’ camp as they commenced the game.

However, in the first quarter it was the Wodonga Raiders who played the stronger brand of football. The Raiders were able to run through the Felines lines and cause enormous pressure on the Felines backline. Led by Phina Muscat who had a great game, Jazmine Holdsworth across the half back flank and Sophie Kelly at full back, the Felines were able to hold on and repel many of the Raiders forward 50m entries.

However, on the Felines rebound, the Raiders did an excellent job of holding a number of players back across the midfield who were then able to regain control of the football.

Towards the end of the quarter, the Raiders scored their first goal to take the lead to the first break.

The second quarter saw a big lift in the Felines across the field and they started to dominate possession and camp the ball in the forward line. Ava Loughnan came right into the game and was brilliant. Before too long Hannah Loughnan scored the Felines first goal and this was soon followed up with a great goal by Latoya Holdsworth.

During the second half of the second quarter, the Felines dominated the game, but they couldn’t add further to the score board.

However, with the added pressure of finals football, the Felines for the rest of the match, struggled to get their usual free flowing game going and goals were at a premium for the day.

Against the flow of play, the Raiders were able to equalise the score in the third quarter and went into the last quarter one point up.

In the last quarter, the Felines had the better of the play and once again dominated forward possession. However, once again, they struggled to convert their opportunities.

As the last quarter went on, the tension in the game steadily increased. The coaches, support staff and supporters were all yelling strongly for their team.

With scores level with 5 minutes to go, it was anyone’s game.

The Felines had some fantastic opportunities to score, even a point would do. Even the goal posts were urging the Felines to rush a point. However, to their credit, the Raiders back line held firm and held out the Felines.

The Final siren sounded, and the game was a draw.

A quick break and the game recommenced with two five-minute halves to decide the preliminary final. The enthusiasm from both teams in their huddles was electric.

In the first half of extra time, the Raiders had the upper hand and really put the Felines back line under great pressure. Phina Muscat was fantastic in the back line, and everyone lifted to hold the Raiders out. With a failed shot at goal, the Raiders scored a point and went into the first break a point up.

The second half of extra time was almost completely dominated by the Felines.

Ava Loughnan and Maddie Ibrahim controlled the midfield. In some heartbreaking moments, the Felines had the opportunity to score a goal or to even up the score. However, cruel fate intervened, and the final siren blew with the ball camped at the top of the Felines goal square.

The Raiders won the match by a single point to progress through to the grand final.

It was a disappointment for the Felines who went into the match as warm favourites. However, the whole team can hold their heads up high. They performed brilliantly through the year and won may admirers for their sportsmanship and skill. They showed the high spectacle of football that female football has become.

Thanks, and gratitude goes to our coaches, Brad Nicholson, Jared Loughnan and Chris Duffy whose devotion and mentoring to the young ladies was outstanding.

A special thank you also goes to the person behind the scenes who organises the whole club and has a smile each day in Nadine Nicholson.

We would also like to thank the parents of the girls, their families and friends who have supported us all season.

Sport has a great tradition of dishing out unexpected results. This is what makes long suffering supporters hold out for hope and the joy of seeing their team triumph against all odds. Sometimes the result does not go as planned and the disappointment is heartfelt.

However, as in life, it is far more important to participate, to strive and to better ourselves than what the result may be. And that will always remain the point of it all.