By Roy Ward
HALLAM Senior College girls football team is a step closer to a third straight state championship after battling horrendous conditions to win the south-east conference at Hallam Reserve last Thursday.
Hallam beat Box Hill Senior College in its opening game before outlasting Lavalla Catholic College, Newborough, and a second-half hailstorm to claim the conference.
Hallam’s defence was once again rock solid, giving up just one behind to Box Hill and then keeping Lavalla scoreless up until half-time. The game was called off in the third term due to the hail and rain.
Hallam coach Brett Alexander said his players had embraced the heavy conditions despite having little experience in wet-weather football.
“Those conditions were the worst we have ever played in,” Alexander said.
“Pre-game, we told the girls they needed to play a different style of football and that it would be a much more physical game and they would have to lay lots of tackles. They really stepped it up.”
Ellie Blackburn was again a star for Hallam in midfield and up forward. Kirsten Mcleod, Cassandra Meads, Lauren Hojnacki, Corey Pendry, Cherie Tamanalevu, Chloe McMillan, Lauren Hutchinson and Jenna Edwards all impressed in one or both games.
Hallam will play the winner of the west conference Ballarat High School and the north-east winner, either Bendigo Catholic College or Wangaratta College, in the state finals at Victoria Park on August 22.
