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| Who will be this year's confetti dancers? Credit: Nick Guoth |
The finals series has already been something of a triumph for both sides as they had to qualify through away ties to Brisbane, for Sydney, and Perth, for Melbourne Victory.
After losing narrowly away to last-season's beaten finalists Brisbane in Round 6, Melbourne went unbeaten in six matches, including four victories, leading into the semi-finals. The sound platform set by coach Mike Mulvey prior to that loss, however, threatened to be undone when the one-time Gold Coast United head coach was lured back to the A-League by Roar. Assistant coach Fabrizio Soncin was promoted to the top job and kindled the side's upward trajectory.
That Mulvey himself was a late replacement for the loss of Vicki Linton in the role is testimony to the resilience of the club's players, a quality not lost on the experts.
Concerns over player personnel have also plagued the club with injuries curtailing the seasons of Ashley Brown and captain Louisa Bisby, while highly-talented Wales captain Jess Fishlock departed the squad prior to finals. Fortunately for Sunday's hosts, the ever-present experience of foundation players Maika Ruyter-Hooley, The Football Sack's Player of the Season, and Enza Barilla, alongside Matilda Steph Catley, who will captain the side on her 19th birthday, has been complemented by the captures of standout internationals Petra Larsson and Jessica McDonald.
Victory's defence - a back three flanked by two wing-backs - has undoubtedly been the hallmark of their journey to the Grand Final having conceded just 15 times at marginally over one per game this season. Combined they will play a major role in stemming Grand Final nerves early on.
It's in that area of the pitch that the game may well be won or lost as the star-powered attack of Sydney will look to break their opponent's resolve.
Emma Kete will miss the match through suspension but in Kyah Simon (heroine), Sam Kerr (whose double fired them to the revenge win in Brisbane), Annalie Longo (scorer of that match's equaliser), and Chloe Logarzo (cool name), the visitors possess the firepower to test the Victory defence.
Much of the responsibility of maintaining Sydney's defensive structure will be placed upon holding midfielder Teresa Polias, one of only three starters from Sydney's last Grand Final appearance who remains at the club. A sub-par performance from the 22-year-old could expose a defence which has conceded more goals than all bar the 7th and 8th placed sides.
The turnover in player personnel may mean Sydney's squad bares little resemblance to either of its showpiece outings, but coach Alen Stajcic has been in charge since the beginning and will trust his championship-winning experience.
An incredible 5-7 loss at home to Perth Glory proved a marker in their season as Stajcic's side recovered to scrape into the finals and win through to the final match of the 2012/2013 season. They are a team in form.
Sunday's W-League Grand Final will be recorded in history as the first not to feature Brisbane Roar. Could it be time for a changing of the guard? It'd be a tough argument to make considering they captured the premiership. Regardless we have a fresh, new - and expectedly even - duel ahead of us.
What the coaches said:
Team: Adelaide United
Coach: David Edmonson
Prediction: Melbourne Victory
Why: Because of their home advantage and the spirit the girls have shown throughout the season in dealing with the coaching and player changes. Collective team spirit will see them through.
Team: Brisbane Roar
Coach: Belinda Wilson
Prediction: Melbourne Victory
Why: It will be a tough one but I think Melbourne - they've had a fantastic season. They had a rough start in terms of coaching, including losing Mike (Mulvey), but they've really gelled as a team. I think it will go right down to the wire but Melbourne will win with the way they're playing and their roster.
Team: Newcastle Jets
Coach: Peter McGuiness
Prediction: Sydney FC
Why: I think Melbourne are a good side and I like the way they play, but I think Sydney's experience, especially in finals, will favour them. I'll go 2-1 in a tight one.
Team: Perth Glory
Coach: Jamie Harnwell
Prediction: Sydney FC.
Why: If we had taken our chances in the semi-final we would be in a similar position with us and Sydney both having that attacking talent. We caused Melbourne a lot of problems with our pace and I expect Sydney to do the same, but it won't be a walkover.
Team: Western Sydney Wanderers
Coach: Stephen Roche
Prediction: Sydney FC
Why: Even though they're away from home and so long as they limit the trouble caused to them by Jessica McDonald, I think Sydney will win. I think it will be close but they just have too many unpredictable players in attack, with Sam Kerr, Kyah Simon, Nicola Bolger, Chloe Logarzo and Renee Rollason from corners. If they're half switched-on, which they should be, flying down the day before, they will be too unpredictable in attack.