On Saturday afternoon Sydney FC will play Perth Glory in the 2018/2019 W-League Grand Final, bringing to a conclusion the eleventh year of the competition.
To progress to the Grand Final each team had worthy competition in the semi-finals.
Perth had to beat the reigning premiers in the Melbourne Victory and did so emphatically, coming from behind to win 4-2.
But the big talking point out of this game was Sam Kerr, who at the moment seems to be in a league of her own. To be fair, she has been one of the biggest talking points of this year’s W-League season.
Kerr was visibly frustrated in the first half against Victory and was denied points on several occasions despite having goal scoring opportunities.
But Kerr is not a player who is known to continuously squander chances. It may have taken her until the 72nd minute but Kerr capitalised on a Leticia McKenna cross to score the Glory’s first goal.
By the 97th minute, the scores were all locked up at 2-2, but when Kerr found herself in possession with only a defender and the goalkeeper to beat she again found the back of the net.
With that goal, Perth took the lead for the first time during the contest. But not content to finish there, Kerr scored one more goal in the second half of extra time to put Glory two goals ahead and to ultimately put the game out of reach for Victory.
Kerr has now scored 16 goals in 12 matches and if last weekend’s performance was anything to go by, then she isn’t finished yet.
I loved watching social media erupt after Kerr got her hat trick with fans simply in awe of her talent. She really is one of Australia’s most beloved athletes at the moment and has been a big reason why the Matildas are such a recognisable and adored team amongst the Australian public right now.
It’s been such a privilege to watch her play in the W-League this year and with her marquee deal with Perth coming to an end shortly, it’s still very much in the air as to whether she will return next year or will instead go choose to play in Europe.
It’s disappointing that our Australian competition is still not at the standard of some of the other international competitions, but ahead of a World Cup, it makes sense for Kerr to head overseas to play against the best in the world.
The only thing standing between Perth and their first ever W-League Grand Final victory is Sydney FC.
Sydney FC may have been slightly inconsistent throughout the season but they prevailed when it mattered, beating the Brisbane Roar 2-1 in their semi-final.
Caitlin Foord has been one of Sydney FC’s stand out players in recent weeks and it was no different in this game. With her first touch in the 32nd minute came a goal.
Alanna Kennedy and Sofia Huerta also scored goals for Sydney FC on the day; set up by Caitlin.
There were some other stand out moments in this game including Sydney’s goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe who had an incredible save in the second half when Yuki Nagasato looked certain to score.
It was a key moment in the game given that just three minutes later that Sofia Huerta put Sydney even further ahead with a goal.
Given the form that these teams are in at the moment, this weekend’s game should be a thriller. But despite the excitement of a Grand Final week, some of the celebrations have been overshadowed by the termination of Westfield Matildas coach Alen Stajcic and the controversy surrounding his termination.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Earlier this week, Stajcic came out for the first time publicly since his dismissal emphasising the very real impact that his sacking has had on his career, his reputation and also his family who have had to deal with the fall out.
The sacking may have happened three weeks ago but it seems like the media and fans are no closer to understanding the circumstances that led to the dismissal.
And therein lies the problem. It’s not exactly to do with Stajcic being sacked – although sacking a successful coach so close to a World Cup is baffling – but it’s more the manner in which it has been done. At the moment, the Australian public has nothing but questions which have not been answered.
Several of the players have also come out in support of Stajcic – query though whether they were encouraged to do this or whether they have followed the behaviour of other members of the team.
At the moment we have two accounts, that of the FFA and that of Stajcic. Who knows what to believe.
It’s such a shame that the situation was handled so poorly and has really put a dampener on the joy which surrounds the Matilda’s and further questions about the competency of the board of the FFA.
All this chatter could, of course, be silenced if the FFA could bring us on the journey and explain what has happened. Until they do so, whispering will continue and my sense is that this is not the last time we will hear from Stajcic on the matter.
The W-League Grand Final will be broadcast tomorrow on Fox Sports 505 or SBS Viceland at 4:30pm AEDT.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
I totally disagree, the advantage the women have over the men is they have a short enough season to play in the NWSL or as well and thats why so many players are on loan from there as well. Then if they dont make the NWSL they need to play in the local winter league as the alternative. If anything they should be subsidising young hopeful players to go to the NWSL or another overseas club with flights and living costs. Everyone should be playing for two clubs a year minimum.
esarbee
Guest
So Sam Kerr was "frustrated in first half'...and "denied points"....Points?
AusSokkah
Guest
The short season is the biggest issue for the W-League, it's a bit of a case of damned if you do, damned if you don't. Bring in stars, and you don't develop your own. But alternatively developing your own, in a 12 game season doesn't give them time to develop to a winning team. Victory aren't the only ones who have tried to short circuit their w-league success. Glory ARE Kerr becuase she brings Mautz, Stanton and Naughton with her from Chicago. The only local players who have made an impact are Carroll (getting to the end of her career), May and McKenna. Douglas, Galabadaarachichi and Moreno have struggled to play more than 180 minutes this season and the two full backs are old school primarily defensive full backs. If Sam goes to Europe (as I suspect she will after this season), Glory are going to struggle. W-League needs a full season so that clubs start to look at the long term development of local players.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
The Victory women may have played well against Perth but they haven't done so well against most other teams. Adelaide and Roar both beat them, and several teams held them to a draw. Like most seasons, several of these teams are capable of winning on their day. Not one team dominates the W League, not now that we seem to have caught up with City. One of the reasons for this, I think, is that it's s till not a full home-away season, and the players are not on full contracts, just year to year contracts. So a club like Victory picks up a few good players one year and does well, like picking up Beard and Gielnik from Roar this year, and their English striker Dowie. In fact, Victory is one team that is trying to short-circuit their W League success, in my opinion. Take a look at their crowd creep this season - they claim 8,000 at double-headers on a regular basis, but of course we know that ain't so. Good on them for a good season, but their methods may not bode well for a strong future.
AusSokkah
Guest
As a Glory fan who has attended every W-League game this season, there is a misconception that this team is all about Sam when the reality is that when the Glory is at full strength they simply overpower opposition teams with a wide range of weapons. The imports Hill, Naughton, Mautz and Stanton are top drawer (some of the other clubs imports look poor comparison), while Kerr and Carroll provide two more international calibre players and veteran May provides a dependable deep lying passing option. When they've all been available, the team has been hard to beat, when they haven't all been available, the results have been up and down, even with Sam on the pitch (lest we forget being unable to beat a Newcastle team with an extra player advantage for 70 minutes at home). Simply put, the team have rarely played great looking football, but the combination of Hill and Kerr's pace with Mautz HUGE engine allowing her to press everythign in sight, they grind teams down until they give Kerr or Hill the space to take advantage of. Interestingly, the no.10 spot has been an issue all season with a number of players getting a run and failing to impress (Douglas, Moreno, Galabadaraachichi) it was the unheralded 17 year old Young Matilda Leticia McKenna who had her best game in Purple in the Semi Final and looked to be a real star of the future. She provided that missing link for the team. Having said that, respect should be given to the Victory, they beat Glory very well in Perth two weeks ago to become Premiers, and from an aesthetics point of view they have been the best team I've seen play in the W-League this season, unfortunately Glory found another gear against them in the Semi.
JimmyJax
Guest
Mary- Why are you talking down the W-league ? It's a trail blazer for women's sports in the country , of excellent standard and evolving very nicely thank you very much. That Kerr may head o'seas as she has already- is a reflection of the gift of football (not a commentary on local football standards ). Football, a truly international sport offers a myriad of opportunities . I dont begrudge any Aussie sportsperson heading OS , I lament the fact that others can't because their sport of choice may hamper opportunities. Foord may well prove influential in the W League final!
Fadida
Roar Rookie
Agree, Sydney seem to be the better unit but Kerr is an anomaly, a match winner.
Fadida
Roar Rookie
Her pure athleticism sets her apart. She jumps higher and runs faster than any and every defender. Her finishing is excellent too, feet and head (which again sets her apart from most W-league players)
Eden
Guest
My head says Sydney but my heart says Perth. Keeping my fingers crossed for all the Tillies in the squads to get a run and some confidence from the game.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Foord has always been one of my favourite players and has returned well this season from injury. I hope she remains that way for the World Cup. I'd agree overall that if Kerr is kept quiet Sydney should win this. Good that the Matildas are in form here; Kennedy also playing with some confidence up the park. Should be a good Grand Final.
Waz
Roar Rookie
The top 4 were again the best four this year but just like last year, hard to split. Sydney are the best side of the two for me, glory have the best player. Hoping for a big crowd and a good game to cap off another great season.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
It'll be a good grand final, to be sure. I was surprised at the freedom Sam Kerr enjoyed last week against MV. It's most unusual to see her move positions the way she did, but it certainly paid off. She forced me to eat my words earlier in the season that she wasn't the best footballer in the W League, I've always rated KK and T Butt above her but she so proved me wrong last week. Well done Sam. Sydney won't give her the freedom on the ball that MV did, so I'll be surprised if she scores multiple goals again, and that will even this contest out. I could never pick a blue, go Glory.
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
Do you have a tip Mary? I'm 3-2 Sydney but..... GO GLORY!!!!!
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
The W-league is now second only to the USA's NWSL, forget European leagues the standard is superior in womens here unlike the men. The US is also the strongest team witht he most depth so US players are the best. Only the top teams in Europe in each league are any good. That Sam Kerr is the top scorer in both while not being in any of the top teams is an indication that she is clearly the best player in the world. Victory side have and English international and three US NWSL players. City have a Japanese and Danish internationals and three US NWSL players. Roar and Sydney FC also have similiar sets of imports. Perth Glory have 4 US NWSL players . Most of the Matildas squad are in the other sides over Perth Glory, who just have the one Sam Kerr.
Wayne
Roar Guru
I'm not sure who I am cheering for in final. Guess I will go for Sydney since they have a couple of former CBR players. I think game will come down to how Sydney can kurb Kerr's influence. If Sam fires, Perth win. Sydney win under any other scenario in my opinion