For the third consecutive year, Belconnen United and Canberra Olympic meet on the biggest stage to decide who will add yet another trophy to their cabinet. Deakin Stadium will have unusual shades of blue on Saturday once more, for a Grand Final whose result no one can predict.

This is the sixth time that these two sides will meet in 2024, after the Charity Shield, three duels in the regular season and the Qualifying Final ten days ago.

Olympic has come out on top three times this season, coming back from a goal down in the Charity Shield before inflicting two 4-0 thrashings over their rivals in the regular season.

The Blue Devils managed to answer to the season’s curtain opener defeat with a win in the first regular season encounter, and of course punched their ticket to the Grand Final at McKellar, a just reward for a superb performance by Scott Conlon’s protegees.

2024 has a lot in common with 2023 for both sides. Belconnen is once again the best attack in the league, and Olympic the best defence. Despite being crowned League Champions, the O’Connor residents were not able to beat the Blue Devils in the first round of finals and had to get past Canberra Croatia to get a chance at silverware.

Canberra Olympic is aiming for a third consecutive Grand Final success, a feat last credited to Belconnen United under Antoni Jagarinec, and their seven consecutive crowns between 2013 and 2019.

The two contenders differ when it comes to the make-up of their team and story it tells. Olympic has plenty of experience all over the park, with Michaela Thornton, Nicole Jalocha, Victoria Jamieson, Ella Brown, Leah Carnegie and Madelyn Whittall all long known stalwarts of our league.

Their presence at the highest level for several seasons translates every weekend on the field, from their ability to nullify most teams’ offence, to the sort of comeback witness last Sunday at Riverside: trailing by two goals, Olympic did not panic, and turned the table around in 13 minutes.

The McKellar residents are almost at the opposite end of the experience spectrum. Alyssa Di Campli was rewarded with the Golden Boot on her first complete season in first grade. Reilly Yuen, Sofia Palywoda, Isabella Hindmarsh, Hattie Cram, Madeleine Steinacker are all young proven talent gunning to win their first Grand Final.

The influence of the more seasoned Keira Bobbin, Bronte Pyke and Ailish McDonagh cannot be understated, with the latter two instrumental in the defensive intensity set up by Conlon this season.

Blue will be the colour of the team lifting the trophy on Saturday. Before the post-match celebrations, the fans in attendance and those watching at home will be treated to another fantastic duel where, judging by the first five duels between the two best team in the WNPL, goals can be expected.

DETAILS

NATIONAL PREMIER LEAGUE WOMEN’S GRAND FINAL

Saturday 21 September 2024

Belconnen United v Canberra Olympic

(Deakin Stadium, 16:00)

Admission: $5 (adults), Gold Coin (Students/Pensioners/Concession Holders), Children U14 Free 

Limited Edition Souvenir Program: $2