There was plenty of excitement in Coldstream on Saturday as Coldstream Football Netball Club hosted a full day of home football followed by its annual 10k draw, highlighted by the EFNL Match of the Round featuring the Women’s team in a top-of-the-table clash against the undefeated Heathmont.
From the opening bounce, it was clear the match would live up to its billing.
Coldstream matched Heathmont’s pressure and intensity across the first three quarters, going goal-for-goal in a physical, finals-like contest.
With both sides showing their class and desperation, the game remained in the balance until the final term.
It was in that last quarter, however, where Heathmont found another gear and kicked away to secure the win.
While the result didn’t go their way, Coldstream showed they belong among the league’s elite and took plenty of positives from the contest.
Following the Women’s game, the Reserves took on a strong Scoresby outfit and found themselves under pressure early.
Scoresby controlled the game from the outset, leading at every change and eventually running away with a comprehensive win.
Coldstream struggled to find rhythm against the visitors’ polished ball use and physicality, and while the effort was there, the Cougars were unable to match Scoresby’s four-quarter performance.
The Seniors rounded out the day against top-of-the-table Scoresby and started strongly, matching the competition’s best in an impressive first quarter that had the home crowd fired up.
The contest was tight early, but as the game wore on, Scoresby began to take control.
Their class and structure shone through in the second half, pulling away to record a solid win.
Despite the loss, there were promising signs, particularly in the first term.
As a club, all three teams will take important learnings from the weekend, from how they prepare and respond to pressure, to how they execute for four full quarters.
While results varied, the commitment to improvement remains the same across the board.
Coaches and players alike will now shift their focus to the final rounds of the season, fine-tuning their structures, building on the positives, and addressing the gaps exposed by top-tier opponents.
