Grand final glory and a chance to seal an undefeated season await Gippsland Galaxy when they meet Fitzroy in the Victorian Women’s Football League division three decider on Saturday.
The Galaxy will travel to Dandenong’s Shepley Oval for the game, with the action starting at 7.30pm.
Despite her team going in as overwhelming favourites, Galaxy playing coach Nikki Schroeter wasn’t underestimating her opponents.
“Any grand final can be won by any one,” Schroeter said.
“We’re just happy to be once again in the final as the favourites.”
But modesty might not be required given her side’s current form.
On 7 August the Galaxy steam rolled Ajax 15.16 (106) to 0.1 (1) in the semi-final showdown at Frankston Oval.
The result was indicative of the side’s season, with wins by margins of more than 100 a common occurrence.
Gippsland’s best result came last month, when they annihilated Melbourne University 232 to nothing at Traralgon Recreation Reserve.
It has been an amazing season from the Galaxy, which last year won the division four flag.
Schroeter said the side had stepped up following promotion.
“Our skill level’s gone up a lot. You can see the difference in how far those girls who played last year’s grand final have come,” she said.
“This year we’ve gained a lot of youth girls that came up, we’ve got a couple of Vic Country players in the team and some girls that played in the women’s academy.”
However, Schroeter said she expected Fitzroy to come hard at her side when they meet on Saturday.
“They play some hard football, very physical,” she said.
“Mentally and physically we have to be ready.
“(But) our transition is very quick, we play some pretty fast football.”
The Galaxy mentor named Sarah Jolly, Nicole Garner, Rachel Drenen and Shani Dixon as the Gippsland players to watch.
“They need to watch out for Sarah Jolly, she’s very quick,” Schroeter said.
“The last game she played she kicked 11 goals as a midfielder.
“Nicole Garner is very strong and a hard hitting player.
“She can play anywhere and one of the best players on our team.”
Having finished the home-and-away season undefeated, Schroeter and her side now have their eyes set on the VWFL’s Premier Division.
“We want to really go up and I think we’ve proved ourselves,” she said.
