AS EAGLEHAWK'S 17-and-under team prepares to end a five-year finals drought, coaches Shannon Dean and Simone Foster could not be more excited for the challenges ahead.
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The young Hawks served notice they would be a strong contender for flag honours, after losing to second-placed Golden Square by a single goal in last Saturday's clash at Canterbury Park.
Golden Square entered the round 15 contest with only one loss for the season to its name, courtesy of a six-goal defeat in round nine against Gisborne, but was pushed to the limit by an eager Hawks combination, aiming to claim its first top-three scalp.
It was the Hawks' best result against a top-three team this season and one which has filled the club's coaching duo with plenty of confidence for the finals campaign ahead.
"We were very proud and impressed with the girls performance, they implemented what we had been working on at training over the past few weeks," said Dean.
"Neither team never gave up and kept fighting til the final siren.
"We think this game was definitely a team performance, all nine players did their positional roles, which enabled each unit to work together as one.
"It shows that all nine players have grown individually, both skill wise and in mental strength, and therefore grown as a team.
"This has been the main aim this year and their growth in both areas has been amazing."
While their finals berth is assured, the Hawks - as they have throughout the season - are resisting the temptation to look too far ahead, with the focus squarely on this Saturday's clash against ladder leaders Gisborne.
"We didn't realise it's been five years since the EFNC 17's have been in the finals, but we're excited for the girls to be playing finals," Dean said.
"We haven't focused on finals throughout the season, we wanted to take one game at a time and aim to improve each each week.
"We have had a rebuilding year, the trust and belief in one another has been something that we have worked on throughout the season and the understanding of court structure.
"The top three teams are very talented, but we also believe our girls have the ability to match any team."
Meanwhile, Strathfieldsaye had to fight to keep a determined Kangaroo Flat at bay in their match at Strathfieldsaye.
The Storm prevailed 47-39, despite trailing by two goals at three-quarter time..
It was the second close game between the teams this season, after the Storm prevailed by two goals at Dower Park earlier in the season.
Reigning premier Sandhurst defeated Castlemaine 79-26 in an excellent tune-up for this weekend's top-three clash against Golden Square, while Gisborne beat Maryborough 76-21.
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