WERRIBEE is drowning its sorrows after failing to assert its dominance over the Casey Cannons for a second time in an intriguing Hockey Victoria men’s state league 3 finals series.
The Tigers were given a harsh reality check on the biggest day of the season with a 1-0 grand-final loss at the State Netball and Hockey Centre in Parkville on Sunday.
Despite the Tigers going into the season-decider full of confidence after shocking the Cannons in the semi-finals, their captain Ross Cowlishaw told the Weekly his side was clearly out of its depth against a top-ranked side that had belatedly rediscovered the form that got it to the minor premiership in the first place.
“We had our chances in the first 10 minutes and hit the post and missed a couple of open shots. They had a lot of opportunities as well, and our keeper Aaron Durajski saved us really.
“We were probably lucky it wasn’t two or three-nil at the end of the day.
“After the game, we were disappointed as you would be when you lose a final, but you take it on board that they were the best team in the comp and they did deserve to win.”
The Cannons were like chalk and cheese in their output compared with two weeks earlier.
In the semis, the Tigers did a good job of restricting the Cannons’ prime movers, and it had a paralysing effect on the rest of the side.
This time, the Cannons were switched on, controlled possession and were much cleaner with their ball use. “We beat them in the first final because their quality players did step up,” Cowlishaw said.
“In the grand final they all stood up, didn’t miss any traps, didn’t miss any passes, all their tackles were nice and clean. They just got the job done.
“You’re only as good as your weakest link and they’ve got no weak links. They’re all quality players.”
The Tigers will spend the summer wondering what might have been. One goal is all that stood between them and glory.
Goalkeeper Aaron Durajski made a raft of outstanding saves.
Daniel Collins and Matt McCubbin were again flawless on the last line.
The only way the Cannons could break them down was from the penalty corner situation.
“Our defence held up well,” Cowlishaw said. “The goalkeeper did an amazing job. Our forwards only had about four or five shots. Unfortunately they didn’t go in, and we got beaten in the midfield.”
By making the finals, the Tigers were promoted to the newly-formed second division.
It was the aim of co-coaches Brian Cowie and Russell Skoglund from the first day of pre-season.
“We sort of exceeded our own expectations. We wanted top-four and we got top-two,” Cowlishaw said.
“We made the grand final when no one really expected us to.”
Men’s state league 3 grand final: Werribee Tigers 0 lt Casey Cannons 1.
