THE Bendigo Thunder will need to win next weekend’s preliminary final if they are to earn a shot at back-to-back Northern Football League Women’s flags.
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The Thunder played another finals thriller on Saturday, but this time were on the wrong end of the result as they fell two points short against Keilor in the NFLW second semi-final at Epping.
A week after needing extra-time to defeat the VU Western Spurs in the qualifying final, the Thunder were defeated 3.2 (20) to 2.6 (18) in a low-scoring battle.
RELATED – SATURDAY SCOREBOARD
The Thunder led by eight points at half-time, 2.2 to 1.0.
However, they were left to rue missed opportunities as they could muster just 0.4 in the second half, while Keilor’s 2.2 was enough to get over the line by two points and book the first berth in the grand final.
“The pressure and tackling from both sides was really high, which led to a lot of mistakes and turnovers,” Thunder coach Luis Alvarez-Harris said.
“Keilor hit the lead late in the game and managed to hold on for the win, but we’ll load up next week and go again… there’s a big prize on offer and we’re keen to grab it.”
The Thunder will meet the VU Western Spurs in next Sunday’s preliminary final at Preston City Oval.
The Spurs easily accounted for Diamond Creek in Sunday’s first semi-final.
• MATCH DETAILS
Keilor
0.0, 1.0, 2.0, 3.2 (20)
Bendigo
0.2, 2.2, 2.5, 2.6 (18)
Bendigo goals – L. Flanagan, A. Walsh 1.
Bendigo best – A. Hay, C. Ladson, M. Barkla, L. Bibby, K. Jacques, L. Datson.
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