Eagles Face Tough Lesson in Third Quarter Defeat
The Eagles struggled in the third quarter, allowing the Blues to dominate and secure a decisive victory. West Coast coach Daisy Pearce highlighted Carlton's increased physicality and intensity as the key factors that turned the game.
Match Summary
After an evenly matched first half, Carlton surged in the third quarter, kicking six unanswered goals. This strong performance helped the Blues seal a 41-point win in challenging wet and windy conditions at Ikon Park.
Coach Pearce's Reflections
"I just thought they lifted their physicality and intensity. For a 15-minute period or so, we just get knocked off the ball a bit too easily. That's finals footy and it'll be a great lesson for us moving forward."
Pearce acknowledged that this experience provided valuable insights for the team in their first finals appearance.
Plans for Improvement
"We just go back to the drawing board, try and really narrow in on a couple of things that are going to give us big bang for buck next year. A good starting point will be more strength and conditioning in our fundamentals. Just more work ahead of us."
She emphasized the need for enhanced physical preparation to build a stronger foundation for the next season.
Looking Ahead
"That was the message coming into today. When you eventually get there and have success, it's these moments that make it more satisfying. You've got to endure losses like today and have experiences like today."
Despite the loss, the team aims to grow from this experience and use it as motivation for future success.
Summary: The Eagles will use their elimination final loss as a valuable lesson, focusing on boosting physical strength and fundamentals to strengthen their future performance.