AFTER nine rounds and 54 games, the two best teams of the season are set to do battle at Avalon Airport Oval to decide the 2018 TAC Cup Girls premier. The unbeaten Geelong Falcons take on the Northern Knights in what is a test of offence versus defence, with the stringent Falcons hoping to hold off the fast-flowing attacking Knights. Last time the two sides met, it was the Falcons that got the job done and booked their spot in the decider with a round eight victory at home. But the Knights were in that game right throughout and will be confident they can turn the tables on the Falcons in this match.

Geelong has brought in two players to its 22 for the match with Mia Sheppard and Luka Lesosky-Hay returning to the fold, while Ella Mahoney and Stephanie Williams have been retained as emergencies after playing in the Falcons’ big win over the Jets. Mia Skinner has been named as the other emergency. The Knights have injected the speed of Marnie Jarvis onto a wing after the midfielder missed last week, with Taylah Manson kept on as emergency, along with Jemma McCarthy and Trinity Mills who have been brought in as the other two emergencies.

Both sides head into the match with 17 of a possible 18 wins between them, and both with strong performances in the final round. Captains Lucy McEvoy and Madeline Brancatisano will be keen to lift the premiership cup aloft, but only one will have the honour on Saturday. With each team strong across all lines, it makes for an entertaining contest and with the game streamed, it is hoped as many people as possible will tune in or attend the match to watch the top female football talent on show.

Our comprehensive preview of the TAC Cup Girls Grand Final will be published on the website so keep an eye out.

GEELONG FALCONS v. NORTHERN KNIGHTS

2018 TAC Cup Girls Grand Final – Saturday, May 19, 12.30pm
Avalon Airport Oval, Werribee

Geelong Falcons

B: 21. Kaitlyn Haustorfer , 36. Abbey Chapman, 20. Daisy Smith
HB: 32. Mia Sheppard, 23. Lucy McEvoy (c), 27. Denby Taylor
C: 18. Nina Morrison, 39. Tarryn Love, 35. Sophie Walmsley
HF: 10. Samantha Atkins, 42. Sachi DeGiacomi, 16. Laura Gardiner
F: 11. Luka Lesosky-Hay, 38. Renee Tierney, 40. Eliza Shannon
R: 33. Zoe Inei, 7. Olivia Purcell, 6. Paige Sheppard
Int: 15. Jerusha Devarakonda, 37. Sophie Dinneen, 34. Sarah Hungerford, 2. Elise Vella
Emg: 31. Ella Mahoney, 26. Mia Skinner, 50. Stephanie Williams

Northern Knights

B: 18. Sarah Sansonetti, 27. Paije Kearney, 13. Mika Suzuki
HB: 12. Olivia Dikranis, 10. Phoebe Chisholm, 32. Ashleigh Snow
C: 1. Magdelene Antypas, 5. Madeline Brancatisano (c), 2. Marnie Jarvis
HF: 6. Alyssa Bannan, 21. Ellie McKenzie, 7. Abigail Bennett
F: 17. Ciara Fitzgerald, 22. Britney Gutknecht, 24. Alex Pronesti
R: 4. Neve O’Connor, 23. Gabrielle Newton, 3. Nell Morris-Dalton
Int: 8. Gulia Ceravolo, 26. Ebony Clayton, 14. Jess Fitzgerald, 29. Tallia Pulcino
Emg: 16. Taylah Manson, 20. Jemma McCarthy, 25. Trinity Mills