FINAL SET TO BE REAL QUACKER

Rangers to go in favourites against Ducks

WHEN the Deakin Ducks run onto the Myers Reserve pitch tomorrow, they will be aiming to complete a treble of Geelong Region Women’s Division 1 grand final triumphs.

Nonetheless, it will be the first year Geelong Rangers will go into the season-ending showdown as firm favourites.

Boosted by several highquality ex-Galaxy United WNPL players within its ranks, the Dark Blues will be further aided by the fact the final is held on their turf.

Despite the rampant Rangers running away with the league title and finishing a mammoth 11 points ahead of the second-placed Ducks, it was Deakin which inflicted the Rangers’ only loss for the season — way back in the season opener in April.

Ducks captain Romani Leech is excited about the prospect of participating in yet another grand final.

“We have come through the season with a ton of injuries and we’re only now starting to see a bit of depth in the team,” she said.

Her counterpart from Rangers, Emanuella Fierro, was equally buoyant about being part of the ‘big dance’.

“A lot of us haven’t been in a grand final before, so a lot of the girls are excited about getting on the park and showing what we can do,” she said.

The tag of favourites doesn’t sit well with Fierro, who saved special praise for the opposition ahead of tomorrow’s showdown.

“Deakin are the seasoned veterans of this league and they are going to be tough to play against. But I think we just need to stop their attackers, shut down their passes and launch efficient counter-attacks where possible,” she said.

Nevertheless, in order to combat the Rangers’ superior attacking prowess, Deakin will need to keep a watch on three key opposition sharpshooters.

Golden Boot Lara Heric has been in dazzling form, netting 27 goals in 15 games. Zoe Tiz- ard has scored an incredible 15 goals in 15 games, while exGalaxy United first-teamer Britt Elsen hit the back of the net a whopping 15 times in only 10 games after joining the Rangers mid-season.

The Ducks will look to leading goalscorer Hannah Gordon (6 goals) and Caitlin Bishop (5) for most of the goalscoring tomorrow.

“Rangers have had an incredible attacking season, so I think we just need to hold strong in defence and also across the field and just make sure when the opportunities come to score, we score,” Leech said.

The grand final kicks off at 3pm.