{"id":40380,"date":"2018-09-21T16:58:15","date_gmt":"2018-09-21T05:58:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.afldraftcentral.com.au\/?p=40380"},"modified":"2018-09-21T16:58:15","modified_gmt":"2018-09-21T05:58:15","slug":"weekend-previews-vflw-grand-final","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2018\/09\/21\/weekend-previews-vflw-grand-final\/","title":{"rendered":"Weekend previews: VFLW – Grand Final"},"content":{"rendered":"

THE stage is set for traditional rivals, Hawthorn and Geelong to make history in the inaugural Victorian Football League (VFL) Women\u2019s Grand Final. The Hawks and Cats have been even all season on the ladder and will get to show what they\u2019re made of in the first game played at Marvel Stadium. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

HAWTHORN \u00a0v. GEELONG CATS<\/b><\/p>\n

Sunday,\u00a0<\/b>September 23, 12.30pm
\n<\/b>Etihad Stadium, Docklands<\/b><\/p>\n

Form line: <\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Hawthorn: <\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Ladder position: 2nd
\n<\/span>Wins: 12
\n<\/span>Losses: 2
\n<\/span>Percentage: 180% <\/span><\/p>\n

Geelong:<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Ladder position: 4th
\n<\/span>Wins: 10
\n<\/span>Losses: 3
\n<\/span>Draws: 1
\n<\/span>Percentage: 163%<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Last time they met: <\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Hawthorn 6.5 (41) defeated Geelong 3.7 (25)<\/b><\/p>\n

In the biggest match of the round, it was Hawthorn who got the early breakaway after an even first quarter. The Hawks kicked three goals to Geelong\u2019s one in the second quarter, giving them a 14-point lead at the main break. They were able to extend their lead in the third with one goal, while keeping Geelong goalless. The Cats had a chance to fight back in the last quarter, but kicked 1.4, which gave Hawthorn the win.<\/span><\/p>\n

AFLW duo, <\/span>Sarah Perkins<\/b> and <\/span>Rebecca Beeson<\/b> each kicked two majors on the day while <\/span>Claire Dyett <\/b>and <\/span>Rosie Dillon<\/b> booted through one each. Beeson had a dominant game with 22 disposals, five marks and six tackles and was complemented by fellow goal kicker, Rosie Dillon, who racked up 17 disposals and eight tackles. Skipper, <\/span>Emma Mackie<\/b> was huge on the day with 20 disposals and five tackles while <\/span>Jayde Van Dyk<\/b> was as resilient as ever down back with 18 disposals, four marks and five tackles.<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite her side\u2019s loss,<\/span> Richelle Cranston<\/b> was the leading disposal-getter on the ground with 25 touches as well as three marks and five tackles. <\/span>Madeline Keryk <\/b>wasn\u2019t far off though with one goal, 24 disposals and nine tackles in another great game in the blue and white hoops. <\/span>Kate Darby<\/b> and <\/span>Mia-Rae Clifford <\/b>also got on the scoreboard with one major each. Darby gathered 12 disposals, three marks and eight tackles while Clifford was kept quiet with six disposals.<\/span><\/p>\n

GOALS <\/b><\/p>\n

Hawthorn: <\/i><\/b>R. Beeson 2, S. Perkins 2, C. Dyett, R. Dillon
\n<\/span>Geelong: <\/i><\/b>M. Clifford, M. Keryk, K. Darby<\/span><\/p>\n

BEST <\/b><\/p>\n

Hawthorn: <\/i><\/b>J. Van Dyk, R. Dillon, K. Ebb, S. Perkins, E. Mackie, M. Cann
\n<\/span>Geelong: <\/i><\/b>R. Cranston, A. Teague, E. Coventry, R. Goring, M. Keryk, K. Darby<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Players to watch: <\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Hawthorn:<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

#1<\/b>\u00a0E<\/strong>mma Mackie <\/b><\/p>\n

Mackie has been outstanding this season and has managed to find her form from the start of the year in the last couple of weeks. Last time she faced the Cats, she racked up 20 disposals and five tackles, then followed this up with three goals, 18 disposals and four tackles in the qualifying final against the Pies. <\/span><\/p>\n

#6 Julia Crockett-Grills <\/b><\/p>\n

Crocket-Grills is an interesting situation, playing against the team that she has recently been recruited to in the AFL Women\u2019s. An agile midfielder, Crockett-Grills can burst the game open with her speed and footy smarts. Against the Pies two weeks ago, she gathered 10 disposals and laid five tackles. <\/span><\/p>\n

#8 Rebecca Beeson <\/b><\/p>\n

Rebecca Beeson has been one of Hawthorn\u2019s most consistent players throughout the season, playing roles in both the forward line and in the midfield. Lately, she has been in the midfield and has made a huge impact. She was dominant against Geelong in Round 16 where she gathered 22 disposals, five marks, six tackles and kicked two goals. \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

#24 Rosie Dillon<\/b><\/p>\n

Dillon has strung together a couple of good games in the lead-up to this match. She arguably played her best game of the season against Collingwood in week one of the finals, as she gathered 20 disposals, two marks and four tackles to go along with her major. Against Geelong in the home and away season, she was again one of the star players for the Hawks with one goal, 17 disposals, three marks and eight tackles. <\/span><\/p>\n

#36 Jayde Van Dyk <\/b><\/p>\n

Jayde Van Dyk well and truly deserved the VFLW Rising Star award after a breakout season in the brown and gold. Van Dyk was a lock in the backline each week and shut down her opponents extremely well. Her agile frame also allowed her to get involved in the contest with great run and carry. She got heavily involved against the Cats in Round 16 where she racked up 18 disposals, took four marks and laid five tackles. <\/span><\/p>\n

#45 Mikala Cann <\/b><\/p>\n

The Eastern Ranges midfielder has only played a handful of games for the Hawks, but they have all been of a high quality. Cann is an inside bull who tackles hard and runs hard in and out of stoppages. She\u2019s one who can turn a game on its head with her explosive impact. Cann was the leading disposal-getter on the ground against Collingwood with 21 disposals, three marks and eight tackles. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Geelong:<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

#6 Maddie Boyd <\/b><\/p>\n

Maddie Boyd\u2019s aerial ability is really going to trouble the Hawks. Her contested and uncontested marking has been superb this season and has played a big part in getting the Cats to Marvel Stadium on Sunday. Against the Pies, she kicked two goals and took seven marks. Last time she faced the Hawks, she gathered 11 disposals and took five marks. <\/span><\/p>\n

#7 Mia-Rae Clifford <\/b><\/p>\n

Mia-Rae Clifford\u2019s move into the forward line has been a revelation, as she has kicked 15 goals from 16 games. Clifford also made the VFLW Team of the Year thanks to her consistency with the ball in hand. She didn\u2019t kick a goal against the Pies last week, so she would come into this game hungry for a couple of majors. Clifford still managed to rack up 11 disposals and lay six tackles in the fierce contest.<\/span><\/p>\n

#16 Olivia Purcell <\/b><\/p>\n

Olivia Purcell comes into this game with a chance to win her second premiership this season. She has rightfully earned her spot in the team with some great inside work and ferocity around the contest. This was highlighted last week when she laid 14 tackles against the Pies, not giving their midfielders an inch of space. Against the Northern Territory (NT), she got plenty of the ball, racking up 19 disposals and kicking a goal.<\/span><\/p>\n

#20 Nina Morrison <\/b><\/p>\n

Purcell\u2019s premiership teammate, Nina Morrison is in the same situation as her, vying for her second premiership this season. There\u2019s not much Morrison hasn\u2019t won this season, winning both the AFL Women\u2019s Under 18 Championships Most Valuable Player (MVP) and the TAC Cup Girls Best and Fairest alongside <\/span>Madison Prespakis. <\/b>Morrison missed last week\u2019s game against the Pies after she was named best-on-ground in the Cats\u2019 win over NT. In that game, she gathered 18 disposals and laid seven tackles. She is a key inclusion in this match.<\/span><\/p>\n

#30 Richelle Cranston <\/b><\/p>\n

Richelle Cranston will be a worrying prospect for Hawthorn with her strength around the contest. Cranston has the tenacity to bullock through packs and win the hard ball to get it out of congestion, which has played a big part in Geelong\u2019s success this year. Her finals campaign has been outstanding with two goals, 19 disposals, five marks and six tackles against the NT. Against Collingwood, she racked up 15 disposals and laid seven tackles.<\/span><\/p>\n

#45 Madeline Keryk <\/b><\/p>\n

Madeline Keryk gets better as each week goes on, dominating the midfield with her tenacity and footy smarts. Keryk hits the packs hard and her kicking and handballing is precise. She is a ball magnet and has demonstrated this in her last two games. Against the Thunder, Keryk gathered 16 disposals and laid nine tackles. She bettered this when she faced the Pies, with 24 disposals and four tackles. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Preview: <\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

These two teams have been evenly poised throughout the season, with both teams always in contention for the premiership flag. Both have knocked off minor premiers, Collingwood, and Geelong has had the added bonus of knocking out the NT. Hawthorn comes into this game off a break, giving a chance for players such as <\/span>Olivia Flanagan <\/b>to return from injury and slot back into the side. Geelong has kept it simple in the lead-up to the Grand Final, bringing in star draft prospect, Nina Morrison<\/span> to impose her outside run on the Hawks\u2019 midfield. <\/span><\/p>\n

The midfield will be littered with Under 18 Victorian representatives, with Morrison, Olivia Purcell, Mikala Cann and <\/span>Emerson Woods <\/b>to all play a role on the day. Experienced players, Rebecca Beeson<\/span> and Emma Mackie<\/span> could go up against Richelle Cranston<\/span> and Rosie Dillon<\/span> in what should be an enthralling battle. In the 50s, Geelong captain, <\/span>Rebecca Goring <\/b>could see eye-to-eye with Adelaide Crows forward, <\/span>Sarah Perkins while Jayde Van Dyk could match up on Mia-Rae Clifford. <\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s also a match-up of two of the best coaches, with <\/span>Patrick Hill <\/b>and <\/span>Paul Hood <\/b>matching up tactics against tactics. Geelong coach, Hood believes his side can get revenge on the Hawks after an improvement of form since their last meeting. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re quietly confident we can improve our performance after that day,\u201d he said. \u201cObviously we learn a bit from playing against the Hawks, they put in a really powerful performance. \u201cIt\u2019s no great surprise to us that we\u2019re here but obviously we needed a bit of luck along the way. \u00a0\u201cWe\u2019re really grateful to get the opportunity to play this weekend.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Patrick Hill is also grateful to grace Marvel Stadium with his Hawthorn players, admitting that he didn\u2019t see a Grand Final berth coming so fast. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you told me I\u2019d be here two years ago in a Grand Final, I probably would\u2019ve laughed at you,\u201d Hill said. \u201cWe\u2019re incredibly well supported by our club. \u201cI think it shows how many great athletes there are in women\u2019s sport. \u201cIt\u2019s not like men\u2019s sport where they\u2019ve already been through trials and a lot of development programs thrown at them since they were seven years old, they\u2019ve had to sort of fight to be involved. \u201cOnce we opened up the doors to all our women in, you see how many amazing athletes there are out there, they\u2019re extremely coachable and a delight to work with.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hawthorn has been one of the best offensive sides this year while Geelong has been one of the best defensive outfits, so if the game is played on the Hawks\u2019 terms, it could be a fast-paced game. But if the game is played on the Cats\u2019 terms, it could be a defensive, hard-fought slug which Geelong has been accustomed to this year. Either way, this will be a tight contest with both teams desperate to lift up the first ever VFLW premiership cup on Sunday.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

THE stage is set for traditional rivals, Hawthorn and Geelong to make history in the inaugural Victorian Football League (VFL) Women\u2019s Grand Final. The Hawks and Cats have been even all season on the ladder and will get to show what they\u2019re made of in the first game played at Marvel Stadium.   HAWTHORN \u00a0v. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":32,"featured_media":40381,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8,3121,137],"tags":[6738,3277,3424,4779,4746,4728,5863,3280,158,4621,3326,4623,3323,6952,6953,3170,5139,3034,5739,3001,2802,6951],"class_list":["post-40380","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-vflw","category-womens","tag-claire-dyett","tag-emerson-woods","tag-emma-mackie","tag-jayde-van-dyk","tag-julia-crockett-grills","tag-kate-darby","tag-maddie-boyd","tag-madeline-keryk","tag-madison-prespakis","tag-mia-rae-clifford","tag-nina-morrison","tag-olivia-flanagan","tag-olivia-purcell","tag-patrick-hill","tag-paul-hood","tag-rebecca-beeson","tag-rebecca-goring","tag-richelle-cranston","tag-rosie-dillon","tag-sarah-perkins","tag-vflw","tag-vflw-grand-final"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40380","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/32"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=40380"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40380\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/40381"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40380"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=40380"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=40380"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}