Hale looks to break drought as Wolves fight to keep dynasty alive

The stage is set for the two best teams of the 2022 Premier League Women’s season to play out the final act on Saturday.

Minor premiers Hale will face off with the powerhouse Westside Wolves at Perth Hockey Stadium at Curtin University on Saturday afternoon for the blockbuster Premier League Women’s Grand Final.

The two sides last met in a Premier League decider in 2019 when Wolves were able to clinch a 1-0 win.

The minor premiers qualified for this year’s Grand Final off the back of a 5-0 Semi Final drubbing over Wolves less than a fortnight ago, but Hale star player Liné Malan said her side would not be letting that go to their heads.

“The biggest thing for us is just not to underestimate them,” Malan said.

“We obviously won the Semi Final 5-0 but I think that also puts us in a position where we need to not be complacent.

“They are a good team on paper, but I do think if we play our game the way we can, what happens will happen.

“In a Grand Final, it all comes down to who wants it the most.”

Malan ­– who recently won the 2022 Charlesworth Medal – knows what is like to leave heartbroken on Grand Final day having lost in 2019 and 2020.

The Hale star said her team deserved to still be in the race and was hoping the third time proves a charm on Saturday.

“It is a good opportunity for us again and the girls know what it is like to lose,” Malan said.

“I think we really want to win it this year.

“It could be in the back of a few girls' minds that we have lost in the past.

“A lot of the girls are wanting to get out there firing and win it.

“People say third time lucky, so hopefully, that works for us.”

On the other hand, Wolves captain Jemma Buckley has an incredible record in the final game of the year across her 300-game career.

Buckley has played in eight grand finals and won six premierships, and said every flag was as special as the last.

“It never loses how special it is, even just making the Grand Final never loses that sense of achievement after working so hard all season,” she said.

“The feeling around the team has been next level, it is the same as it was for my first Grand Final.

“As you get a bit older you realise some people go through their whole career never playing in a Grand Final.

“I am in a unique position because we have been so successful at Wolves over the last 15 years.

“As I come to the end of my career I am realising these are amazing moments that you get to share with a group of good friends.”

Buckey said she expected an incredible atmosphere at Perth Hockey Stadium as shoots for an incredible seventh premiership.

“I think it will be a really good game and I think the atmosphere will definitely be there,” she said.

“I know the Wolf Pack will be there to support – especially with our Division Two boys playing in a Grand Final beforehand as well – so it should be a pretty big day for our club.”

Buckley said she expected the decider to be a lot closer than the 5-0 result in the Semi Final.

“Hale is a really good team, we have had some close games against them this year,” she said.

“They pumped us in the Semi Final so we are out for revenge.

“We won our 2019 premiership against them, so they are probably out to get us as well.

“There is a bit of history between us and I think it should be a really good game on the weekend.”

Hale’s Malan said she believed the two best sides had made it to the Grand Final and she expected they would put on a show.

“They are a good team and have got some really good players, and they play a nice team game as well,” she said.

“I think the two teams that are in the final are the right ones, which is good, it will just come down to who is better on the day.”

The pushback will be at 4 pm on Saturday at the Perth Hockey Stadium at Curtin University.

The 2022 Hockey WA Grand Final Day, presented by Brightside Live, is set to sizzle on Saturday 17 September at Perth Hockey Stadium at Curtin University, with fun, games and engagement for all ages, on and off the field.