Wyndhamvale is on the verge of premiership glory in just its second season in the Victorian Women’s Football League.
The Falcons head into Sunday’s division 3 grand final against Whitehorse at Coburg City Oval as warm favourites after taking all before them in an undefeated home-and-away campaign.
Player-coach Kerry Saunders said excitement was building ahead of the club’s first crack at the biggest day on the football calendar.
“It’s a first grand final for a lot of these girls and some of them have only played footy for a year or two,” she said.
“It’s all different and new, so they’re really upbeat and excited.”
The Falcons are undoubtedly a more settled club in season two. The inaugural campaign was rushed as the building blocks were being put in place. They simply didn’t have the experience to draw upon in times of need.
“Being the second year this year, we’ve had the time to do everything properly, we had a preseason camp early, where everyone got to know each other better,’’ Saunders said.
‘‘Most of them have trained twice a week since or they’re doing other things, whether it’s gym, running, riding.
‘‘It’s obvious that it’s all paying off now – we’re one of the fittest teams going around.”
However, the Falcons will have to do it without multi-sport star Jess Cameron.
Cameron was a revelation this year, leading the competition goalkicking with 55.
Cameron and Kristen Beams are on duty with the Australian women’s cricket team.
“We knew Jess would be off playing cricket for Australia,” Saunders said.
“She’s had camps during the year in which she didn’t play with us and we’ve still managed to win. As much as she’s been the ideal player to have on your side, we knew what was coming and we’ve prepared for it.”
The goals certainly won’t dry up in the absence of Cameron.
The Falcons still have Jess Heath, ranked sixth on the competition’s goalkicking list with 27 majors. Kayla Slattery (18) and Leah Olsen (12) have also proved dangerous, even if they aren’t stay-at-home forwards. Slattery usually forms part of a rock solid defensive trio with Bridget Russo and Nicole Elliott.
“Not a lot gets past them,” Saunders said.
“Our backs and our midfielders have been the keys to the game and they have been all year.
“As long as they do the same thing they’ve done every other week, we should be fine.”
