There will be no tomorrow for the losing team in tomorrow’s huge preliminary final clash between St Marys and Nightcliff tomorrow at TIO Stadium.
The Saints will want to rebound from last weekend’s 33-point loss to PINT in order to build momentum for the rematch if victorious. St Marys know that their best is as good as any team in the competition, it will just be about producing that kind of performance when it matters.
As mentioned many times this season, the green machine boast arguably the most talented list on paper in the Women’s Premier League competition. AFLW star Danielle Ponter, Janet Baird and Jo Miller – who did not play last weekend – form an imposing trio for any opposition team to combat.
St Marys will, however, be without star player Jemma Iacono who will serve a suspension due to making forceful contact to an opponent from front-on in the contest against PINT. Iacono was the Saints’ equal leading disposal winner last week so they will need players to step up in her absence.
The Tigers showed plenty of spirit last weekend to come from behind to beat Waratah by six points in the elimination semi-final at TIO Stadium. Mickayla Ward starred with 20 disposals and a couple of goals and Christy Landwehr was excellent through the midfield. Gypsy Schirmer and Cassie McWilliam also got their hands on the football and played a big role in the close win.
The Tigers are unlucky to have lost a handful of talented players due to injury throughout the season, but they remain a consistent side across the paddock. Ex-AFL-listed player Ashanti Bush remains a dangerous player who is brilliant when delivering the ball inside-fifty.
The two teams have met three this season with the Saints victorious on all occasions – by nine points in Round 1 and 26 points in Round 10 and 36 points a fortnight ago in the qualifying final.
So while anything can happen in finals football and you cannot completely rule out a Tigers victory, it would certainly be a mammoth effort to triumph over the heavily-fancied Saints.