KANGAROO Flat lifted its pressure in its last game of the Bendigo Football Netball League, to score a win over Gisborne in its last game of the regular season and remain on top of the ladder.
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After a disappointing first quarter and a stern talking to by coach Janelle Hobbs, the Roos clicked into gear, winning its 16th game of the season.
Played at Gisborne's Gardiner Reserve, Kangaroo Flat won 44 to 38.
Hobbs said the win was exactly what the A-grade team needed on the eve of the finals.
"It was a good win against a tough opponent," she said.
Hobbs said her team managed to overcome a sluggish first quarter to get back into the game by half-time.
"They got to about seven up in the first quarter, my girls didn't settle at all," she said.
"At the first break I gave them a talking to and we managed to get back on track, we settled and started to chip away at the lead.
"It was only one or two in it at half-time."
Hobbs said the Roos then got off to a solid start in the second half.
"We got on top and really worked well together," she said.
Kangaroo Flat captain Alicia McGlashan put in another strong performance in goal defence.
"Alicia is our captain and she has really stood up over the past couple of weeks," she said.
"She played fantastic.
"Rachel Mackenzie also played well in goal attack, she moved really well and played well with our other shooter Nina Cass."
Finals will begin next weekend, with Kangaroo Flat securing the week off thanks to finishing in first place.
Hobbs said while it was their aim to finish on top of the ladder this season, there was still a lot of work to be done.
"We will train twice this week and have a dinner together, a bit of team bonding," she said.
"The week off will do us good, it will give some of the girls who have some niggles a chance to freshen up.
"We actually videoed our game against Gisborne, so we will analyse our game and see what we can improve on.
"We also watch the finals next weekend and see who our opponents will be."
Hobbs said she was proud of her team's efforts during the regular season.
"We have worked hard all season, but finals is a step up again," she said.
"It was good to play Gisborne in the last game of the season, it was played in a finals like atmosphere, so hopefully that will do us good in the lead up to finals."
Fifth-placed Maryborough also stunned Kyneton in its final game of the season.
Maryborough will now go into its first finals game with full of confidence after winning 46 to 40 at the Kyneton Showgrounds on Saturday.
Golden Square also had a big win in its last game, defeating Castlemaine by a massive 40 goals.
South Bendigo and Sandhurst also scored wins.
Week 1 finals at the QEO courts
A-grade - Qualifying: Kyneton v Gisborne, Sunday, 2pm. Elimination: Maryborough v Golden Square, Saturday, 6pm.
A-reserve - Qualifying: Sandhurst v Kangaroo Flat, Saturday, 4.30pm. Elimination: Strathfieldsaye v Gisborne, Sunday, 12.30pm.
B-grade - Qualifying: Strathfieldsaye v Kangaroo Flat, Sunday, 11am. Elimination: Sandhurst v Golden Square, Saturday, 3pm.
B-reserve - Qualifying: Strathfieldsaye v Kangaroo Flat, Sunday, 4.30pm. Elimination: Kynetonn v South Bendigo, Sunday, 12.30pm.
17-and-under - Qualifying: Sandhurst v Gisborne, Sunday, 11am. Elimination: Strathfieldsaye v Eaglehawk, Saturday, 3pm.