The Maitland Saints women have booked their spot in the finals for the second year running with a 8.13-61 to 5.2-32 win against form side Warners Bay.
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It was a winner take all clash in terms of the finals and the Bulldogs were right in the game until the Saints over-ran them with a four-goal final quarter.
Warners Bay’s cause was not helped with their bench cleared of players in the final quarter by injury.
However, the Saints had wrestled control of the game in the third-quarter led by their defence who kept the Bulldogs scoreless for the term.
Anna Fraser was instrumental in shutting down the Bulldogs attack and the Saints built from her efforts.
Jessie Burnham also had a great game kicking three goals, including two from marks in the final term.
The Saints best also included Gabrielle Easey, Leawanna O’Donoghue, Hannah Centra and Amy Worth.
Maitland’s support play was excellent with the Saints able to clear the ball from packs to runners on the outside.
Their willingness to play on was finally rewarded in the second half with the forwards able to run into space as the midfield broke the lines with hard running to overcome the Bulldogs defensive structures.
Maitland start their finals campaign this Saturday at Max McMahon Oval against second-placed Newcastle City Stars at noon.
The Saints’ men’s team ended a tough season on a winning note. The Black Diamond Cup team defeated Lake Macquarie 15.8 (98) to 12.12 (84). The reserves beat Lake Macquarie
