It will be an historic moment in the East Division Grand Final, with a new club - Gippsland or Ajax – to hold aloft the premiership cup in their inaugural season in the VWFL.
Highlighting the growth of the competition, all four finalists were first year clubs, with the two Grand Final sides winning in convincing fashion over the last fortnight against Rosebud and Endeavour Hills.
Gippsland raced to the top of the ladder in the second half of the season, with its last defeat coming at the hands of its Grand Final opponent Ajax in Round 5 by 26 points.
Since that game Galaxy has produced an average winning margin of 119 points, turning a 26 –point deficit against Ajax in Round 5, to a 101-point win just a fortnight later in Round 6.
Gippsland coach Nicole Schroeter said it is hard to believe a team that was ‘thrown together’ a month out from the season with minimal players and basic football knowledge has developed so quickly across the season.
“Starting from scratch with basic kicking and game sense was a challenge, but one of the greatest aspects of the Gippsland team is quick development,” Schroeter said.
“Every week they have proved themselves by training hard and committing to learn.
“It is a massive achievement by the team and it means absolutely everything to these girls to wear the Gippsland colours and represent the region in our very first season in a Grand Final.”
- CLICK HERE Saturday for a live video stream of the game
Ajax coach Marnie Rosenberg reflects similar sentiments regarding her side, with many of her team learning the game for the first time. Making the Grand Final is just reward for their efforts.
“It is an incredible effort from a group of girls who have never played football together before this year,” Rosenberg said.
“Their improvement has been astounding, as well as their team bonding.
“We have had an incredible first season, due mostly to the enthusiasm and eagerness of the players.”
The side dropped just the three games during the season – two of those to Gippsland – with the team standing up well to player losses throughout the year.
“We have been unlucky with injuries, with two season ending ACL knee injuries,” Rosenberg said.
“We also lost a key midfielder to a planned overseas trip, but notwithstanding, everyone has stepped up to complete the journey.”
In contrast Gippsland has enjoyed a relatively injury free season. Looking back at the year, Schroeter believes the loss earlier in the season to Ajax taught her side a valuable lesson which will help in preparation for the Grand Final.
“It made the girls realise that if they don’t give 100% for four quarters then anything can happen,” Schroeter said.
“Gippsland will be going into this game prepared to work as a team like we have all season.
“We need to make sure that all our players give 100% as Grand Finals are always a tough game to win no matter who you play.”
Despite two 100-point defeats at the hands of the Galaxy, Ajax is confident in the knowledge it has beaten the premiership favourite during the season.
“We have beaten Gippsland once in the home and away season - this will give us some confidence,” Rosenberg said.
“Gippsland play a great running game, so we will need to stop their run and stamp our authority on our style of a running game.”
SATURDAY AUGUST 29, SHEPLEY OVAL, DANDENONG: 7:15pm
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Gippsland: Sarah Jolly, Emily Jolly, Kim Cunico, Rachel Drennen, Danni Pearce, Lisa Whittaker, Taylah Tatterson
Ajax: Toni Hamilton, Jessica Marget, Tamara Epshtein, Julia Caplan, Vanessa Mrocki, Jessica Israel
PATH TO GRAND FINAL
Gippsland
Semi-final: Gippsland 16.10 106 d Rosebud 2.1 13
Ajax
Semi-final: Ajax 6.15 51 d Endeavour Hills 0.2 2
Preliminary final: Ajax 9.9 63 d Rosebud 5.2 32
HEAD TO HEAD
Rd 5 Ajax 8.9 57 d Gippsland 4.7 31
Rd 6 Gippsland 18.8 116 d Ajax 2.3 15
Rd 9 Gippsland 18.14 122 d Ajax 2.1 13
Latest news on VWFL website:
Video stream link for ALL Grand Final matches
Division 3 Grand Final preview: Kew v Deer Park
Division 4 Grand Final preview: South Morang v Brunswick
West Grand Final preview: Sunbury v Melton
VWFL finals information
Photo: Arj Giese
Last Modified on 27/08/2015 21:27