Melbourne City FC captain Steph Catley proclaims her side will head into Sunday’s Westfield W-League Grand Final against Perth Glory in the best shape it has been in all season.
City are seeking to become the first team in the nine-season history of the Westfield W-League to win back-to-back championships, booking a second consecutive Grand Final berth with a thrilling 1-0 extra-time win over Canberra United.
Entering Sunday’s decider against the Glory at nib Stadium on the back of three consecutive wins, the City captain feels her side is hitting its straps at exactly the right time.
“It (our form) has been up and down, but to be honest I think now we are in the best form we have been in this season,” Catley said. “I think we are hitting some peak form now at the right time of the year.”
“We are coming into the finals and playing really well so we are pretty happy with where we are at.
“A lot of us have a lot of finals experience, and a lot of us have been in the W-League for a long time so that will help settle the nerves.”
Standing in City’s way of another historic Championship triumph is a Perth outfit gunning for their first Championship title, after the Glory fell at the final hurdle against Canberra United only two seasons ago.
It has taken determination, resilience and fighting spirit for City to put themselves in a position to defend its W-League crown, something which Interim Head Coach and midfield dynamo Jess Fishlock sees as the ultimate motivation to bring home another piece of silverware.
“It is was not easy to do what we did last year, but to back it up is even harder, I promise you that,” Fishlock said.
“What the girls have done this season has been astonishing, and I want to win it for them. “Perth have had a great season, come with huge threats and I think it will be a fantastic game.”
Westfield W-League Grand Final
Perth Glory v Melbourne City FC
Sunday 12 February 2017
Venue:nib Stadium, Perth
Kick-off: 4:30pm Local, 7:30pm AEDT
