Killarney v East Gosford
Killarney and East Gosford deservedly meet one final time this season with the winner of Saturday’s showdown being crowned the 2025 WPL Premiers.
For Killarney, a historic, undefeated treble awaits them if they are successful this weekend. The 2025 Association Cup winners and League Champions will be committed to bringing home the final piece of silverware to wrap up a phenomenal season.
Killarney will be well rested heading into the weekend after being rewarded a weekend off after their Major Semi-Final win over East Gosford.
However, that result wasn’t as straightforward as they liked as the Terriers almost recorded defeat until Candice Phelan scored with seconds left on the clock to send that game into extra-time, where Killarney eventually won on penalties.
Phelan was introduced at halftime during that fixture and completely changed the game for her side, netting two goals in the process and scoring in the shootout to help her team progress to the Grand Final.
For a team and coach who have only come together this year, Sarah Hudson states she couldn’t ask for a better group. “I’m extremely proud of this group and what they’ve achieved this season. To make the GF has not just taken talent, but tremendous character, consistency, and commitment from every single player.”
“What makes me most proud is how they’ve grown together as a team. Supporting each other, stepping up in crucial moments, and maintaining their standards week after week. Every player in our squad has contributed to getting us here, whether they’ve been regular starters or come off the bench when needed. Reaching the GF is the reward for all their hard work, and I couldn’t be prouder to be coaching this team.”
Hudson also touched on what makes this squad so special, “What’s impressed me most is their mental resilience and ability to find ways to win when it matters. This group never panics when they’re under pressure. They stick to our game plan and trust in each other.”
“Their work rate has been outstanding all season, but it’s their character that really stands out. Whether we’re ahead, behind, or level, they maintain the same intensity & belief. The way they’ve supported teammates through tough moments and celebrated each other’s successes shows the unity in this squad. That combination of mental toughness and team spirit is what has kept the momentum going and gotten us to this GF.”
Reflecting on their Major Semi-Final meeting with the Rams, Hudson is aware her squad has room to level up ahead of Saturday’s showdown. “While we achieved the result we wanted, I felt we could have been more clinical with the ball and our chances.”
“East Gosford are a quality team, and they made it difficult for us. This weekend we’ll focus on being more composed in those moments and maintaining our intensity for the full 90 minutes. We know what we need to do differently, and we’ll be better prepared.”
Hudson also added, “The key to victory will be executing our game plan, supporting each other, and staying composed under pressure. We’ve shown all season we can handle big moments, and Saturday is just another opportunity to demonstrate that character.”
“If we bring the same commitment and intensity that’s gotten us this far, and play as the team we know we can be, we’ll give ourselves every chance of lifting the trophy.”
The Rams find themselves in an eerily similar position to their inaugural Grand Final appearance in 2023.
Going into that match two years ago, the League Champions at the time, Terrigal, had East Gosford’s number the entire year as they were also undefeated heading into the final game of the season.
However, the Rams showed their championship mentality to put those past results behind them as they went on to be crowned WPL Premiers for the first time in the club’s history.
Those two sides met the following year in the pinnacle WPL match once more, this time Terrigal were able to edge out East Gosford 1-0 in extra time.
Although they will be making their third straight Grand Final appearance and will be driven and determined to reach the summit of WPL once again, this will serve as John Jiggins’ first finale as he looks to wrap up his inaugural year at the Rams with some silverware.
Jiggins took some time to reflect on his journey and what got him to this place with this group of players. “When moving from Kincumber to Rams it was a very difficult decision.”
“I was inspired by the Kinny girls and was looking forward to seeing them progress even further this season but when I discovered I had an illness that prevented me from driving, I had no other choice but to move closer to home. When I was lucky enough to be appointed at East Gosford, it was a no-brainer”
“I had coached several of the girls at representative level whilst on the Coast in their youth days and knew the quality of players I was inheriting.”
Jiggins also added, “We have progressed as a squad this season and have shown a fighting spirit that is consistent with all our teams at Rams. I must pay tribute to all the girls who have backed up this season, they consist of players from the AA1, AA2s, 18s and lastly from our 16s! This is a true testament of how the Rams work!”
To book their place in Saturday’s showdown, East Gosford put together a clinical clean sheet performance to get past Kincumber 3-0 as captain and back-to-back Golden Boot winner Jess Dominello featured on the scoresheet twice along with Niesha Monteleone.
It was an extremely mature performance from this side who are a Finals-proven outfit and coach JJ is more than confident in his side’s ability ahead of their final clash of the year.
“Watching the Semi-Final against Killarney, I feel that we played the better football on the night but just lost concentration at the very end. The game was a terrific example of high-level quality football from both sides, but we now know that we are more than capable of causing an upset.”
Jiggins also touched on what bringing the trophy back to East Gosford will mean to him. “For me personally, this is something I don’t even consider. It’s nice to win obviously, but I just get a buzz out of seeing the girls playing good football.”
As for what he believes is required from his side on Saturday, Jiggins voiced, “Belief and a fighting attitude is what is required to defeat Killarney. They are quality across the park but so are we. It will be a terrific match and the respect both sides have for each other will be evident on Sunday!”
Grand Final Fixture –
