W-LEAGUE: Stocky's Scribbles from the Stands

So here I am sitting in the salubrious stands of AAMI Park.  Seats are very comfortable, the sun is shining with minimal wind as I enjoy the ambiance of looking across a world-class stadium and NO – I am not attending an A-League game. This is a long way from the suburban John Cain Memorial Reserve in Northcote where the Melbourne Victory girls have been plying their trade all year round.

Words and images by Craig Stockdale

This is the Grand Final of the Westfield W-League; the premiere competition for women’s football in this country. And the icing on the cake is the growing rivalry between the season’s two best women’s football teams - Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory. A rivalry that exists across everything from most livable city, to sport, fashion, culture, food and wine. Now women’s football is thrown into the mix. Gotta love our inter-city rivalry.

For the first time this season the women get to play on a surface and venue befitting the status due to the women’s premier football competition in Australia. Something for the authorities to consider in the year ahead if they are serious about addressing gender equality in football but I guess it all boils down to money. We need more money!

We really need to better market and promote women’s football at the elite level and acknowledge there are fundamental issues to address. The discrepancies are extraordinary; from salaries, to television rights, media coverage, sponsorships, facilities, playing venues and scheduling of matches.

Why are our elite female footballers playing second fiddle to the men? Why aren't more people interested in watching women playing football? Are we providing a supportive environment and framework for our women to prosper in football? Later, I am told……..

As I scan the stadium for faces I know, the atmosphere in the 4,000+ crowd is electric as the teams go through their warm ups and preparation. Mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters and friends are all in attendance to watch the girls perform on the biggest stage in Australia. Family is very prevalent in women’s football in this country. Those same faces are consistently in attendance at every home game or training session providing the necessary support, passion, commitment and dedication their female elite athletes require.

Just down the road stands the epicenter of sport in Australia where legends have been born across the many disciplines of competition. Today, potentially a new chapter of history could be written if the Melbourne Victory women can prevail and the air of anticipation is evident around the arena.

It has been a tumultuous year for the Victory starting with the questioning of their existence, the cavalcade of coaches, the disappointment of serious knee injuries and the commitments of national duty by key personnel – yet against all odds here we are at the main event with a chance to create and be part of history.

Emotions are running high. The sea of blue – navy blue that is – swells as the game is about to begin and the crowd’s vocals and sounds echo off the concrete of the stadium. The players assemble, the whistle blows and the game begins.

The singing and chanting from Melbourne Victory’s North Terrace at one end of AAMI Park is contrasted by the reactive jibes from a smaller, but no less dedicated Sydney FC crowd and provides excitement and laughter for the rest of the stadium. The fans are enjoying the rivalry – but you can sense a very healthy respect for both teams and the many talented female athletes on the pitch who play together in the green and gold most of the year round.

Sydney does not take long to pounce and scores the first major within five minutes following a defensive mishap that puts Brianna Davey under extreme pressure with her rebound kick ricocheting into the back of the net. The chants from Sydney are now magnified and this stirs the emotional pot for the Melbourne Victory supporters. Expletives abound from the Victory end now the score sits at one nil in favour of the sky blue.

Worry not. Free kick to Melbourne Victory and up steps the indelible Swedish import Petra Larsson and with a deft right foot shot on goal, slides the kick onto the left post which rebounds into the back of the net – one all and the crowd goes off “like a frog in a sock”.

Half time come and goes. Both teams are on the hunt for a quick goal to gain an advantage on the scoreboard. Up steps the little dynamo – Sam Kerr and from a pinpoint cross she fully extends herself in the horizontal position heading the ball past the desperate outstretched hands of Davey to register the second goal for Sydney FC.

WOW – what a goal and what a post goal celebration as Kerr summersaults and back flips her way across AAMI Park in front of the Victory cheer squad to make a statement. The silence was eerie. Two goals to one and momentum was squarely with the sky blue.

The Football Sack's Steph Catley ponders what could have been

The Victory girls valiantly tried to square the ledger and continuously peppered the goals until a rebound from defense landed at the feet of a Sydney forward with Maika Rutyer-Hooley bearing down like an Exocet missile. The tackle was crude but she had no option and was brandished with a red card thrust in the air and a penalty kick to Sydney FC.

The Sydney conversion was successful and the gates were closed on the Melbourne Victory women but the girls stood tall and the supporters made sure they congratulated them for what was an amazing season under trying circumstances. The crowd also congratulated Sydney FC for winning the Westfield W-League championship.

Hats off to all the Melbourne Victory girls, the coaching staff, support staff, training squad and the many parents, siblings, friends and fans who have supported the girls in 2012 and 2013. The camaraderie and bond between the girls was on display for all to see and will provide a wonderful platform for the team to prosper and grow in the year ahead.

Well done Melbourne Victory Women.