THIS weekend is the big dance of the 2021/22 Victorian Women’s Premier Firsts competition. The decider will see Melbourne play Carlton, in what is sure to be an entertaining clash.

In part one of our Grand Final Preview, we take a look at Melbourne.

Melbourne has the chance to create a little bit of history this weekend.

After its second and third XIs both won their respective Grand Finals last weekend, Melbourne has the opportunity to become the first club to win all three grades in the Women’s Premier Cricket, since the system was changed a few years ago.

Melbourne has been the team to beat all year. For a long time, it was looking like an unbeaten season was on the cards.

Then the club came up against Essendon Maribyrnong Park in Round 12 and Box Hill in Round 13, who both managed to defeat the Dees in successive weeks.

They booked their place in the decider last weekend with a comfortable win over Box Hill. A stellar performance all round with the ball topped off with a stellar batting performance from Rhiann O’Donnell meant that the win was always going to be a pretty simple task for the Dees.

Coming into this season, captain-coach Teagan Parker said that the club had a few different goals.

“From a club perspective, we just wanted to win the Women’s Club Championships,” Parker said. “It was our main goal of the year, so we managed to seal that up which was nice. From an individual team perspective I suppose we wanted to make finals was a goal, across all three grades make finals, which we managed to do.”

Parker certainly wasn’t expecting to have such a great year, and if she had been told preseason that they would go on to have the season they did, she may have not believed you.

“I probably wouldn’t have believed you, that’s for sure,” she said. “It was really interesting… we had a really good year last year and had a really good squad and I think our squad on paper this year was really good as well, but you never go into a season expecting a certain number of wins or losses that’s for sure.”

Despite the great year they’ve had, according to Parker there has not been one key secret to their success.

“I don’t know if there’s a great secret. I think the club as a whole we just jelled really well together, and everyone gets along, we just go out there and have some fun,” she said. “We’ve just got a really good group and a really good mix of young kids as well as some experience in there as well, so that stands any club in really good step to win some games of cricket and we’re just learning all the time and trying to grow from each game. I think that’s a really good basic formula, or ‘secret’… (we’re) just trying to grow from every game and try and have some fun along the way.”

Some of the Dees that have really stood up this season have been their young stars. Parker spoke glowingly of their importance this season, and singled out a couple of young bowlers in particular.

“You probably can’t even put into words how important the youngsters have been,” she said. “You just look at the likes of Hasrat Gill, who played mostly in the second eleven last year and has come into the first eleven this year and done a great job. Her importance to our side is massive and we have no expectations on the likes of Hasrat, just ask her to come in and have some fun and try and learn from the more experienced girls around her.

“Obviously Ella Hayward as well, she’s got a Big Bash contract and playing WNCL as well, so we ask her to bring a bit more knowledge back, and she’s our vice captain, so we learn a lot off them as much as they learn off us.”

Looking ahead to the game, Parker said there was a lot of excitement around the group.

“They’re excited, I think there’s a lot of excitement around the group,” she said. “Especially after last weekend, we’re still shaking our heads and just in a bit of shock of the year that’s been really, just can’t believe the amount of success we’ve had at the club. We’re really excited, there’s great vibes around the group and training tonight I’m sure will be much the same. Everyone’s just excited to be here and can’t wait to take the opportunity on Sunday.”

Although they did beat Carlton earlier in the season, Parker doesn’t think that result will count for much come Sunday.

“I suppose it gives you a little bit of confidence. Certainly not comfortable, that’s for sure,” she said. “I think Carlton are a great side, they put some big scores on the board especially early on in the season, so definitely can’t take them lightly. I think we were supposed to play them Round 1 as well which got washed out, so that would have been another good hit out against them, but finals are a different game as well.

“It’s anyone’s game, whoever comes to play and takes the opportunity will win I’m sure.”

So will Melbourne be able to cap off their excellent year and go on and win the title? Only time will tell.

The 2021/22 Women’s Premier Firsts Grand Final will take place this Sunday at the Albert Ground, St Kilda, from 10:30am.