The top team defeated East Point by a convincing 27 points in a semi final at Alfredton Oval on Sunday.

Redan’s only loss for the season came at the hands of the second-placed Dragons three weeks earlier, but coach Peter Forbes said his players were not going to let history repeat itself.

“Last time we played them, they beat us by a point and we realised they got off to a very good start,” he said.

“We made sure we were better prepared this time. The girls were well and truly ready by the time the ball went up – we got to an early lead and never relinquished.”

After a strong first term to establish a 20-point lead at quarter time, the Dragons managed to hold the Lions scoreless in the second term. 

But the Lions almost doubled their score in the third term and maintained the lead in what was a tight final quarter contest.

“We’ve been working on our skills the last couple of weeks in windy conditions and I thought our skill enabled us to move the ball a lot quicker,” Forbes said.

“But also our intensity at the ball, we were first to the footy quite a bit and when we got it, we were able to do some pretty effective things with it.”

Forbes said the ruck combination of Shannon Simpson and Victoria Blackwood gave Redan first use of the ball, while Madison Quayle also played a key role.

“She was quite ferocious when it got on the deck – she was smothering, running the ball and managed to kick two goals as well,” he said.

With the Lions getting through the game unscathed, the players will now use the week off to rest up and continue to improve on structures and skills. 

“These girls have worked really hard all year and that was one of their goals was to win a flag,” Forbes said.

“Now we’ve got the perfect opportunity to do it.”

Meanwhile, Gisborne is set to face East Point in a preliminary final after defeating Carisbrook by 28 points.

Carisbrook was leading at half-time of Sunday’s game, with Gisborne only managing three points. But the Bulldogs fired in the second half with seven goals. 

Lisa Borg led the way for Gisborne with a haul of four.