Apollo v Millicent United
Apollo will face Millicent United this Saturday in the grand final at Casadio Park.
Both sides had different routes to the grand final, Apollo took care of business in the qualifying final, beating Blue Lake 2-0. Whereas Milicent have now faced elimination twice, beating Gambier Centrals 3-0 then defeating Blue Lake in the preliminary final 1-0 last week.
These sides faced off back in round 13 with Apollo taking the three points in a 6-2 win.
The closest Millicent has been at taking points from Apollo was back in round 2 where they suffered a 1-0 defeat.
Millicent’s form going into the grand final has been excellent, winning four games in a row with their last defeat coming at the hands of Apollo.
Apollo on the other hand have only suffered one defeat this season and they have been clear favourites all year.
Millicent United coach Linda Carter Shepherd believes her side has a good chance against Apollo.
“We have had a couple of close games with them throughout the season with one fairly big loss which was the last time we played them but I think we have got a fairly good chance,” she said.
“Obviously we’re gonna go in with lots of positives coming off the last four wins over the past few weeks.
“Our game has definitely improved and the team has come together really well and that’s shown in the way we have played, we have been passing really well and taking advantage of having the opportunity we get.
“We are definitely keen for a good game and hopefully take away the win.”
Carter Shepherd will be looking for a lot of players to step up across the field in this game.
“I think every person on the team will have a role to play but obviously for goal scoring we have got Lana Shepherd and Letitia Izzo,” she said.
“We have got to have some strength in the midfield so we will be looking at Leonie McCallum and Lauren Potter.
“Our backline will have to be really strong with Phoebe Rose, so I think everyone will definitely have a role to play.”
Apollo coach Paul Prentice believes that despite beating Millicent this year, Saturday’s game is anyone’s to win given how unpredictable grand finals can be.
“The grand final is different and the last two years have shown us that as we have been the best team over the past two season but have not won a grand final, so that indicates of how special a grand final is,” he said.
“Everything is different in a grand final so we can ignore all the previous games this season because they do not give any indication on what sort of game it’s going to be on Saturday.”
Despite losing the last two grand finals Prentice and his side are determined to leave those disappointments in the past and focus on Saturday’s game.
“We have spent all year waiting to get to this point and in fact we have not talked about the grand final from last year specifically because it hurts so much two years ago and losing in the grand final to Blue Lake and then to lose in the grand final to Inter so it’s been a bone of contention for us,” he said.
Prentice will be looking at a few players to step up in the grand final on Saturday.
“In the spine of my team I have got Zoe Brooksby at centre back as well as Toni Ingley-Smith up the middle and I have got the best goalkeeper in the league,” he said.
“I’m very fortunate that I have got strength all over the field and even in my bench when I bring people on I have got lots of strength there as well like Paige Hastings and Farlie Rigopoulis who have stepped up this year.
“I can even bring Emmie Leibhardt on who has been scoring goals for the under sixteens and for us in seniors as well.”
Kick off is at 2pm at Casadio Park.
