TWELVE months ago, Nichols Point created magic to claim the S-League Senior Women’s grand final against a formidable Mildura City side.
This year the Pointers hope lightning can strike twice.
Point, the 2023 pre-season Rudi Horvat Cup winners, and City, this year’s league champions, come face-to-face on Sunday at Aero Ovals Soccer Park in a bid to claim the final trophy on offer for the season.
Goalkeeper and Point vice-captain Christine Cottrell said her side were well aware they’d be in for a tough game.
“You’re always hoping to win in the grand final but the Mildura City girls are a tough opponent, every time we play them it’s always a tough fixture,” she said.
“We just want to enjoy the day, play the best we can and whatever happens, happens.”
After some early season inconsistency, Nichols Point found their footing with a number of talented go-getters including Caitlyn Czapla, Maia Gowers and Neve Tingey able to play for their home club more regularly alongside competing in South Australia.
“The second half of season they were available a bit more to play for us so I think having a bit more of a consistent team has helped our form,” Cottrell said.
“It’s good to have a few goal scorers back in the team in Maia and Caitlyn, especially players who are quick, while Neve is pretty key in defence for us.
“Everyone has to play a role, it’s down to the whole team and if we all play our best anything can happen.”
City captain Isabella Palamara said her young squad is hopeful to add another trophy to the cabinet on Sunday.
“It was a good season for us,” she said.
“We have improved, we’re a pretty young team this year but we’ve gotten better as the season has gone on.”
Palamara has enjoyed another strong season alongside new strike partner Chenoa Hunter, the pair combining for 23 goals across the campaign.
“It’s her (Hunter’s) first year so she’s done amazing, she’s a gun, she’s so fast, so good to play with,” Palamara said.
In the senior men’s grand final it will be a rematch of the home and away decider in senior men’s as league winners Mildura City take on pre-season victors Irymple Knights.
Both sides could claim the 2023 title before their round 14 match-up, but a Nick Woods brace saw City claim their third consecutive title with a 2-0 win.
Senior grand final games begin at 1pm on Sunday.
S-League grand final draws
Sunday, Aero Ovals Soccer Park
Under 12 – Three Colours v Mildura City (8.30am)
Under 12 Development – Mildura City v Irymple Knights (8.30am)
Under 14 – Nichols Point v Mildura City (9.40am)
Under 16 Girls – Mildura City v Nichols Point (9.40am)
Over 35 – Mildura United v Irymple Knights (10.50am)
Under 16 – Mildura City v Nichols Point (11am)
Under 13 Girls – Irymple Knights v Mildura City (12.10pm)
Senior Women – Mildura City v Nichols Point (1pm)
Reserve Men – Mildura City v Irymple Knights (1.20pm)
Senior Men – Mildura City v Irymple Knights (3.20pm)
