Berkeley Vale v Woongarrah
The two most consistent teams throughout the 2024 MPL season rightfully meet for one final time in the pinnacle match of the season. League Champions Woongarrah look for their second piece of silverware to end the year but will need to get past the formidable test of the Berkeley Vale Wombats, who look to end their Premiers drought.
A well-rested and highly confident Berkeley Vale will be raring to get on the pitch after a very-deserved weekend off after overcoming Woongarrah in their Major Semi-Final fixture. The game plan and execution from Berkeley Vale that night were perfect, leading to their 7-0 thrashing of the Wildcats.
The standout on that night for Berkeley was Conor Fitzpatrick who walked away with four goals to his name, with three of those goals coming inside the first half. Fitzpatrick and co played their best football of the season and will look to repeat that against the same outfit this Saturday when it matters the most.
For Mark Pratt, this marks his second Grand Final since coming on board at Berkeley Vale, with his first coming back in 2018 where his side came up short to Killarney Vale. Pratt spoke on what this game means to him and the club and how that past experience will play a part in this weekend.
“As I’ve previously stated we try to improve each year with the group that we have and last year we made the semifinals this year it’s the Grand Final, so it’s an improvement and we are obviously aiming to win if we possibly can.”
“We obviously won’t underestimate Woongarrah, we learnt that GF is a one-off game against an opposition and the team that scores more than the other wins and is crowned champions.”
Although it has been six years since their last big dance, that defeat marked Berkeley Vale’s seventh straight First Grade Grand Final loss, a hoodoo they will look to overcome this Saturday.
Although many of the players from those Grand Finals have moved on, goalkeeper Steven Grimmitt has been involved in five of those defeats as he looks to end his First Grade career on a high, taking home a premiers medal that has eluded him in his long and successful career at the Wombats.
Having the luxury of being able to watch their opposition ahead of the weekend, Pratt voiced his opinions of Woongarrah’s performance last weekend.
“Any team that wins a sudden death final normally deserves it so with that they obviously did what was needed and they will try to do the same this weekend coming.”
Although the Wombats were unable to get the better of Woongarrah in both meetings throughout the winter season, losing 2-3 and 4-5, their triumphant victory two weeks ago could give them a false sense of confidence heading into the weekend, but Pratt is adamant his side won’t be taking the Wildcats lightly.
“The win was obviously a good one, but they have beaten us twice already this year and we have won once they were minor premiers for a reason, so we won’t be underestimating them at all.”
“We will need to be in control of what we can control which is ourselves and how we perform will be how we prepare which has been good, anything else is up to others so we will play our own way and if it’s good enough, hopefully, we can finish on top and win.”
After being on the wrong end of such an enormous beating at the hands of Berkeley, it was always going to be a massive test of character for the Wildcats who needed to pick themselves up and go again the following week against the daring test of Southern & Ettalong.
Last week’s Final was a gruelling, end-to-end contest that saw Southern break the deadlock in the second half. However, this didn’t deter the champions who clawed their way back to a 2-1 win thanks to an AJ Henderson brace and a late penalty save from goalkeeper Corey Hedges.
That result cemented Luke Rogers and his squad their second First Grade Grand Final, their first since 2019 when they also got promoted and made it to the pinnacle game of the season.
However, as they so often do, Killarney got the best of their opposition to win that Grand Final as Rogers states this time round will be a different circumstance. “That game was a long time ago and I feel I’ll this match will be a totally different experience.”
Rogers also commented on what it means to make history for the club, leading them to another Grand Final. “It’s a rewarding feeling and definitely a good one. On and off the pitch a lot of hard work has gone in, so this definitely means a lot to all involved.”
It has certainly been a mentally and physically challenging few weeks for the Wildcats who have experienced the highs of winning the comp, the lows of their biggest defeat of the season, and everything in between including two physically demanding fixtures.
Despite all of this, Rogers knows his side is willing to put it all on the line as they looked to be crowned Premiers for the first time in the club’s history. “It’s been a big last month, sealing league champs with some tough must-win games and then the two final series matches.
“We are a little banged up, but I know this weekend being the last game of the year the boys will put that aside to hopefully be successful Saturday night.”
One thing Woongarrah definitely has over their opposition who will take the park on Saturday night is experience which is vital in these games as Rogers is hoping his key players will show up ready for the battle.
Jacob Melling, Josh Rose, Matt Lewis, and Dylan Holz just to name a few, have all played in big matches at a higher level and their knowledge will come as a huge boost come kick-off.
Woongarrah are likely to miss defender Myles Donnelly in their squad who was forced to leave last weekend’s game early because of injury. Donnelly is a major threat for the Wildcats in the air, and his presence will be missed.
“They have had two weeks to prepare for this match, I’m expecting an injury-free Berkeley side that will be fresh and raring to go. To be crowned Premiers we need to not concede so early like we did last time and play more as a collective,” voiced Rogers in his final words ahead of the Grand Final.
Match Official – Anthony Kabbout
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