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Saturday night's second semi-final didn't go to plan for the Strathfieldsaye Storm, but coach Troy Coates is confident his side will respond strongly in the preliminary final.
After trailing eaglehawk by just one point at three quarter-time, the Storm fell away in the final term and lost by 40 points.
The Storm, who were without skipper Kallen Geary, had few winners on the night.
"There were only three or four guys that played to their potential, so that's an upside for us,'' Coates admitted.
"We were with them for most of the game and we only dropped away in the last 10 minutes.
"There's a lot of upside as to how our players can perform.
"We've had a few guys come off limitied preparations... so they'll be better for that run.
"Kal Geary will be right for next week, he only missed this game as a precaution, and we got through unscathed as far as injuries are concerned.
"We need to get games into us because of the limited senior games some of the players have had."
Eaglehawk dominated at ground level and Coates admitted the Storm needs to inject some pace into its squad.
"(Key forwards) Bryce Curnow and Hugh Robertson gave us great options up forward, but we lacked an ability to swoop on the ground ball in the forward line,'' Coates said.
"That's something we'll look to change up this week."
Bendigo Pioneer Hunter Lawrence impressed in the reserves second semi-final and looks set to get another crack at senior footy next weekend.