All Flags Premier League Grand Final Captain's Corner I Jemma Buckley

After a one-year stint on the sidelines come Grand Final day, Jemma Buckley’s Westside Wolves will look to claim glory once again on the final day of the women’s All Flags Premier League season. when they’re set to face the ultimate challenge in first-placed Victoria Park in the 2021 All Flags Premier League Grand Final.

Although Wolves suffered defeat in the first Semi Final against Victoria Park, Buckley knows that her team has what it takes to take the crown after two wins from two matches against the powerhouse club during the regular season.

“We’re very aware of Victoria Park’s powerful side, especially with the inclusion of Hockeyroos players fresh from Tokyo,” Buckley said.

“As a team, we’re a very balanced side across the field, so for us it’s all about sticking to our game plan knowing that we can play really good team-first hockey which will put us in good stead.”

Buckley says that her and the team are thrilled to be back into the Grand Final and their only focus is to go all the way, with a strong end to the season giving the side a boost of confidence that they’re in the box seat to do so.

“I think we are really strong and we’ve had a fantastic run home to end the season; we’ve managed to find the right mix of experience and youth within the group so we’re pretty confident that we can perform well this weekend against a strong Victoria Park outfit,” Buckley says.

“Everyone’s very excited to play in a Grand Final so close to our last; it’s a great achievement for any team, so it’s all about enjoying the moment, which I think will help the girls perform to the best of their ability.”

To win a Grand Final is no easy feat, and Buckley says that although she has won a few in the past, a victory this weekend would be no different.

“I’ve played in a few and won a few Grand Finals now; I know the feeling and a lot of the girls in this group haven’t experience the feeling so it would be awesome to get the win so they can experience it,” Buckley says.

“It’s a feeling that you can’t really explain and to win this year would be an amazing reward after all the hard work we’ve put in as a side this year.”

See the Westside Wolves take on Victoria Park in the women’s All Flags Premier League Grand Final this Saturday 18 September at Perth Hockey Stadium at Curtin University on Hockey WA Grand Final day. Entry is $5 with kids under 18 FREE