Match Details:
Melbourne Victory FC v Brisbane Roar FC
3:00pm, Sunday 23 February
Lakeside Stadium, Melbourne
TV: Live on ABC1
Radio: livecast.com.au
Twitter hashtag: #WLeagueGF
Big Picture
Melbourne Victory will once again host the W-League Grand Final after the top-two seeded teams were knocked out at in the semi-finals for a second consecutive year.
They face a Brisbane Roar side who they’ve never beaten in their 11 clashes in the W-League, the most recent clash ending 1-0 just two weeks ago in the final round of the regular season.
With both clubs boasting some of the most talented and high-profile internationals the league has seen, it promises to be a tight battle between a team contesting their fifth W-League Grand Final, aiming to cement their status as the most successful club in the league’s short history, and another hoping to bury the demons of last season, as they faltered at the final hurdle.
How they progressed
Melbourne:
After maintaining a spot in the top two for most of the season with an impressive nine-game unbeaten run, Melbourne Victory slid down to third on the table after only mustering up one win in their final four games.
The round nine stalemate against Western Sydney Wanderers as well as a narrow loss to Perth in round 11 and the final round defeat to Brisbane proved costly in their bid for a home semi-final. The Victory were then pitted against defending champions Sydney FC in the semi final, and faced the trip north without much momentum.
But they managed to pull out a stirring performance at Kogarah Oval in a high quality contest, beating their arch-rivals 3-2 after Lauren Barnes put away a penalty in the 71st minute, before some resolutely defending saw them hold onto their slim lead despite the end to end nature of the game in the last 20 minutes.
Brisbane:
Historically one of the most consistent teams in the league, Brisbane held second spot for most of the season, but never managed to string together a series of good results.
They have suffered some setbacks during the season, with surprise packets Adelaide United proving to be a bit of a bogey side for the Roar, after beating them in round five, then snatching a draw in round 11. Their 4-0 loss away to Sydney in round 10 also served to prove the importance of Claire Polkinghorne to their line-up, as they struggled to withhold a strong Sydney attack.
In their semi-final last week, they upset Canberra United at McKellar Park after going ahead early, as Kim Carroll bundled a short corner into the back of the net. They then restored their lead in the second half through another corner which was finished off by Elise Kellond-Knight.
Danger women:
Jessica Fishlock:
While she may not have had the same kind of impact as she had in her guest stint last season, it appears she’s finding form when it matters.
Coach David Edmondson utilised her in a more advanced role last week against Sydney. Combining with Lisa De Vanna, she sharply turned between two defenders and finished a splendid goal to put Melbourne 1-0 up.
And after missing last season’s final due to her guest contract expiring, she’ll be eager to make sure the team wins it this time around with her contribution.
Elise Kellond-Knight:
The midfielder impressed most against Melbourne two weeks ago, earning herself player of the match after dominating the midfield and having a number of shots on goal.
After scoring the winner in the semi-final against Canberra last week, it will be vital for Melbourne’s defence to mark her closely, shutting down her distribution in midfield to ensure Brisbane’s potent attack doesn’t wreak havoc.
What will be the deciding factor
“I think it might come down to defending,” said Kim Carroll, in the build up to the game.
Indeed, with the glaring exception of both their thumping’s at the hands of Sydney FC, Brisbane and Melbourne have rarely conceded more than a single goal in any game this season.
With the late season addition of American import Lauren Barnes adding maturity and experience to the backline, Brisbane may find it difficult to breach Victory’s resolute defence, which has been impressive this season.
Should the Victory defence produce another strong display, the likes of Tameka Butt, Hayley Raso and Emily Gielnik will need to work hard to create openings for the visitors.
On the opposite end, Victory’s attacking cavalry will have to find a way past Ballon d’Or winner Nadine Angerer, who will be ably supported by a back four filled with Matildas.