The Southern Saints’ season is over after a hard-fought loss to Collingwood.
The red, white and black fell 14 points short in Sunday’s preliminary final at Adcon Stadium, despite throwing everything at the Magpies.
Peta Searle’s team dragged themselves back into the game in a pulsating second half, but despite several chances, couldn’t quite land the telling blow.
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While a stunning goal from Molly McDonald with only minutes left provided hope of a miraculous win, it utlimately wasn’t to be, with one final major from Jamie Lambert seeing the Pies emerge victorious in the 7.5 (47) to 5.3 (33) result.
Tilly Lucas-Rodd (16 disposals, three tackles), Olivia Vesely (15 disposals, four tackles), Darcy Guttridge (15 disposals, one goal) and Cat Phillips (10 disposals, six tackles) were all shining lights in the enthralling affair.
Caitlin Greiser and Kate Shierlaw also chimed in on the scoreboard with a goal apiece, while Isabella Shannon was prolific through the midfield.
The Southern Saints and Collingwood honoured the late Danny Frawley with a minute's silence before the match.
Both sides traded blows in the opening stanza, but it was the Southern Saints who held a one-point advantage at the first break.
The Magpies bounced back in the second term, ramping up their attacking pressure and kicking three goals to one, two of which came from Lambert.
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As Collingwood peppered their forward half with repeat entries and played the game on their terms, the likes of Lucas-Rodd and Clara Fitzpatrick helped limit the damage on the scoreboard.
A timely 50m penalty on the stroke of half-time allowed Guttridge to give the Saints a much-needed reprieve, with the red, white and black poised for a massive second half.
Peta Searle’s women came out firing in the opening minutes of the third term but were unable to fully capitalise on their opportunities.
Collingwood strong-armed the momentum back in their favour as a result through their solid defensive work and strength through the midfield.
But the only goal of the quarter went the Saints’ way, with star recruit Emma Mackie kicking true to leave the margin at five points heading into the final change.
With a spot in the Grand Final up for grabs, both sides left nothing in the tank as the ball shot from end-to-end in a hair-raising final quarter.
Collingwood established a handy buffer with 10 minutes left to play, but McDonald’s remarkable major from the forward flank kept the September dream alive.
Cat Phillips battled hard all day to top the Saints' tackle count.
But it was Lambert who delivered the killing blow, with her goal with three minutes left on the clock sealing the result and closing the door on a spot in the big dance.
Despite the heartbreaking loss, Searle said it was a vital learning curve, particularly with such a young group.
“There was a lot to gain out of today,” Searle said.
“They are an AFLW elite midfield and we showed that when we are able to absorb their pressure and play our way it holds up well which is exciting."
Making a prelim and even losing a prelim, the girls will learn a lot from it – there is only everything to gain because we got here. - Peta Searle.
“I think our girls have a lot more growth ahead and that’s the exciting part, we are not that far off and our potential is a lot higher."
Despite the disappointment felt by the girls, the improvement throughout the 2019 season provides a solid platform to tackle the AFL Women’s season.
