St Kilda and Melbourne Uni will fight for a spot in the Swisse VFL Women’s Grand Final this weekend when they face off in the Preliminary Final at North Port Oval, as Kate Withers reports.
The winner will book a date with Darebin in the inaugural VFL Women’s Grand Final, after the Falcons’ 106-point demolition of St Kilda in the Semi Final a fortnight ago.
The Sharks managed just one goal in the massive loss, with Georgia Harris kicking the lone major late in the last term. It was a stark turnaround from the home-and-away encounters between the two teams, with just 17 (Round 4) and 36 (Round 14) points separating them.
Uni earned its spot in this weekend’s Preliminary Final with a four-goal win over the Eastern Devils in the do-or-die Elimination Final. The win reversed the Round 16 result, when the Devils’ physical game style stunned Uni to the tune of 20 points.
While the 24-point Elimination Final win was enough to afford Uni a Preliminary Final berth, inaccurate kicking at goal almost cost Uni the game, recording just six majors from 20 scoring shots.
If the previous match-ups between these teams in 2016 are any indication, this game is set to be close. When the sides met in Round 6 at North Port Oval, Moana Hope kicked five goals in St Kilda’s nine-point win and proved what a vital part she has played in the Sharks’ success this season.
Nothing split the two teams in Round 11, with the game resulting in a draw. Celia McIntosh nullified the prolific Hope, holding her goalless for the first – and only – time in season 2016.
After becoming the first player in the VFL Women’s competition to kick 100 goals, Hope will need to be restricted again this week if Uni is to secure a Grand Final berth, especially after she kicked six goals in the AFL Women’s All-Stars match last Saturday night at VU Whitten Oval.
Kaitlyn Ashmore, Emma Kearney and Gabriella Pound kicked two goals each for Uni in the Round 11 clash and will need to stand up again this weekend.
PRELIMINARY FINAL
Sunday September 11, North Port Oval, 11.50am*
St Kilda vs Melbourne Uni
GRAND FINAL
Sunday September 18, Piranha Park, Coburg, 2.30pm*
Darebin vs St Kilda/Melbourne Uni
* Both games will be live video streamed via vfl.com.au.
Last Modified on 09/09/2016 17:10