William Buck Premier Women’s Grand Final Preview

Nick Armistead – @NickArmistead

Melbourne University WFC will officially meet Marcellin in this Sunday’s William Buck Premier Grand Final after they defeated Kew by eight points at Burbank Oval over the weekend. Trailing by six points at three quarter time, the Mugars ran over the Bears with goals to Candice Adams and Jade Tancred in the fourth term while keeping their opponents scoreless. Olivia Turnbull and Lauren Munday were named the best for the Mugars, while teammates Ruby Grounds (23) and Mietta McDonald (22) found plenty of the ball. Michaela Harding led all comers yet again with 28 disposals for the Bears and made it a day out with seven tackles in a polished performance. Dani Sibosado (21), Lily Barr (20) and Molly Coulter (20) were each outstanding for Kew as they ended their season fighting until the final siren.

Preview

All roads lead to Elsternwick Park this Sunday afternoon when Marcellin meet Melbourne University WFC for the 2018 William Buck Premier women’s crown. The Sheagles will enter full of confidence after cleaning up at Monday night’s women’s awards dinner, with Taylor Padfield (Best & Fairest), Laura Robertson (Rising Star) and Shaylee Taylor (Leading Goal Kicker) leaving with silverware in hand. They’ll be fresh after earning the week off following their second semi-final win over the Mugars and have the rare opportunity to go back-to-back following last year’s incredible win against SKOB Saints. After finishing the home and away season as minor premiers, the Mugars were made to work for their spot in the finale after falling to the Sheagles by 17 points in the second semi-final. Their top tier talent is as strong as any side, with 16 players polling votes in the best & fairest count – the most of any side. Now, we have the two stingiest defences and two strongest offences pitted against one another in one highly-anticipated decider. The fairy tale of the Sheagles in just their second year of existence against the battle-hardened and experienced Mugars looking for their first Amateur flag. We quite literally have the two top sides for the duration of the season playing off in the VAFA Wilson Women’s showpiece event.

Head-To-Head

These two sides split the points in their two matches throughout the home and away season, with the Sheagles running out 57-point winners when they first met in Round 2. Despite the best efforts of Ruby Grounds who had 24 disposals, the Mugars were unable to penetrate the Sheagles’ defence as they consistently repelled the Mugars’ forward 50 entries and allowed Laura Robertson (18) and Taylor Padfield (14 & 53 hit outs) to cause serious damage further up the ground. Shaylee Taylor was the main recipient up forward with three goals alongside Elise Wiggins’ two. Fast-forward to Round 8 and the Mugars exacted revenge with a 12-point win at the Uni Oval. Caitlin Greiser and Asha Price shared five goals between them, while Taylor Hunt recorded 19 disposals. The last meeting between the two sides was the before-mentioned second semi-final when the Sheagles jumped the Mugars with three goals in the opening five minutes and held them off for the duration of the match. Ellie Gavalas continued her hot form with 22 disposals and a goal for the Sheagles while Ruby Grounds collected 22 of her own.

Danger Forwards

Marcellin: Shaylee Taylor (23), Tessa Zagontinos (13) & Ellie Gavalas (8)

MUWFC: Lucy Watkin (10), Asha Price (9) & Mietta McDonald (5)

Taylor has been the standout up forward this season with 23 goals earning her the William Buck Premier leading goal kicker award. She’s kicked two bags of four and another two bags of three, while going goalless just three times. Zagontinos has a real knack for popping up and kicking crucial goals as seen in last year’s grand final while Gavalas has kicked six of her eight in the past four games. The Mugars have offered up a vast array of goal kickers in 2018 with 10 players kicking four or more. Despite going goalless in her two games against the Sheagles this season, Lucy Watkin can turn a game on its head as shown when she booted four against Trinity earlier this season. Mietta McDonald has kicked five in her six games but is prone to a miracle goal on her trusty left boot.

On-Ball Brigade

Marcellin: Taylor Padfield (41.8 hit outs), Ellie Gavalas (15.3), Annaleise Xanthos (11.2) & Tessa Zagontinos (9.4)

MUWFC: Candice Adams (33.4 hit outs), Ruby Grounds (16.7), Leah Caluzzi (17.9) & Marinella Salafia (14.2)

The Mugars were far and away the highest possession team throughout the home and away season, averaging 216 disposals per game compared to the Sheagles’ 156.5. Both midfields boast elite talent and it’s not a stretch to predict the superior midfield on the day will win the match given the similarities in both defence and offence.

X-Factors

Taylor Padfield (Marcellin): The William Buck Premier best & fairest winner has clearly had a standout season for the Sheagles as proven by her 20 votes on Monday night. She averages nearly 42 hit outs per game and her 72 against Caulfield in Round 14 proved she can go big. Padfield was named the VAFA’s best player in the Big V’s win over South Australia in June, again proving she is made for the big stage.

Mietta McDonald (MUWFC): The smooth-moving McDonald is one of the most talented players in William Buck Premier and her outstanding performances were rewarded with selection in both the 2017 and 2018 Big V sides before having to pull out of this year’s campaign due to illness. She may have played just six games for the Mugars this season but has the ability to create time and space, and her calm head will serve her well on the big stage this weekend.