W-League Grand Final: What the coaches think

With the Westfield W-League Grand Final between Perth Glory and Canberra United less than a day away, we’ve asked the other coaches about their thoughts heading into the decider.

READ OUR CHAT WITH THE OPPOSING COACHES HERE.


Joe Montemurro
Melbourne Victory

Prediction: Canberra United

“They’ve got a good spread of players all over the park that are capable of doing their job quite well and they’ve also got the firepower up front to finish games off so I think Canberra can actually win it. They’re a very well organised unit and they’ve got a lot of experience playing finals football.”

Daniel Barrett
Sydney FC

Prediction: Perth Glory

“I think they’ve built up such great momentum throughout the season and I just don’t see it stopping. They’ve got quality all around the park and they proved last weekend against us they can mix up their play a lot. They played a lot shorter passing game which disorganised us at times. I just think they’ve got more to their football and they’ve definitely grown as the season has gone on so I think they’ll get the business done on the weekend.”

Peter McGuiness
Newcastle Jets

Prediction: Perth Glory

“Their potential to score goals is really high and I think their back four – including their keeper – are very sound and very structured. My pick for player of the grand final is Caitlin Foord; she’ll have a great game breaking out of midfield. She adds a real attacking dimension to that team by making those forward runs even without the ball. They will miss Sam Kerr but I don’t think they’re a one-player team in any way, shape or form.”

Ross Aloisi
Adelaide United

Prediction: Perth Glory

“It’s going to be a tough one but I will say Perth Glory, just, because they are playing at home. Without Sam Kerr it’s going to very difficult for them and I don’t think they are as dangerous but I’m going towards Perth because they have been outstanding all year and there’s been games where they’ve won without Sam as well. For some reason my gut tells me Canberra may come away with this and they have come into some good form of late but it’s a tough one to choose.”

Norm Boardman
Western Sydney Wanderers

Prediction: Perth Glory

“I was asked this question about six weeks ago and I said at the time, cheekily, if we didn’t win it Perth Glory would. I still think that even though Sam Kerr is out. I think Perth will have too much firepower for Canberra. I know grand finals are a one-off game but Jamie has had them really well organised all year and they’ve been really consistent. The structure of Perth is such that will get them over the line in the big one. It will be a highly entertaining game and I wouldn’t be surprised if there is four or five goals in it.”

Brisbane Roar’s Belinda Wilson has been contacted for comment and we will update as she gets back to us.

You can watch the Grand Final on ABC 1 this Sunday. Times are below.

Western Australia: Midday (live)
NSW, ACT, Tas & Vic: 3pm (live)
QLD, SA, NT: 3pm (delayed)

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