Balmain and Sydney University will meet in the AFL Sydney Womens Final again this season after both claimed Preliminary Final victories on the weekend.
While Balmain finished as minor premiers, Sydney University have enjoyed an unbeaten run this finals series after finishing the sixteen round season in third position.
Sydney University hit this match with confidence after defeating the second-placed Wollongong Saints by thirteen goals. The University defence showed great resolve keeping the Saints scoreless in the first half, and only letting through one scoring shot for the entire contest.
Up the other end, despite a scoreless second quarter, the University attack kicked into gear with a four-goal third quarter and six goals in the final stanza. Mai Nguyen led allcomers with four goals, while Jennifer Lew and Lara Creber were others to impress. In a disappointing performance by Wollongong, Laura Russell and Georgia Leach were named best.
With this said, Sydney University will face a tough ask if they are to knock off the unbeaten Balmain Dockers. The Dockers kept that incredible record in tact with a dominant 55-point win over the Western Wolves.
The Dockers were never headed, and like University, kept their opponents scoreless in the first half. After a three goal first quarter, the Dockers gradually built their lead on the back of spearhead, Belinda Pride who finished with three goals. Karla Spilarewicz and Laura Holdsworth were others to impress, while the Wolves battled hard- led by Jenna Mercer.
It will be a match between the two sides with the best attacking record. Balmain have scored nearly 500 more points than Sydney University in the regular season, while conceding 130 points less than their opponents this Saturday.
These statistics suggest it will be more than an uphill battle for Sydney University but as we know anything can happen when it comes to Grand Final day.
Previous Encounters in 2012
Round 13- Balmain Dockers 9.8.62 def. Sydney University 1.2.8
Round 1- Balmain Dockers 10.4.64 def. Sydney University 7.2.44
Grand Final- Saturday 1st September 2012
Balmain Dockers vs Sydney University @ Henson Park 1.10pm
The Grand Final will be streamed live on Digital Sports- http://new.livestream.com/digitalsportslive
Last Modified on 28/08/2012 12:51