Queechy will head into the Greater Northern Hockey League Women’s Grand Final at McKenna Park as favourite this weekend but will be wary of South Burnie.
The Penguins will be looking to break a finals hoodoo and head in with an impressive record of 15 wins and one draw and a goal difference of 87 from the home and away season finishing well clear on top of the ladder.
The Hawks were a clear second and earned their way to the final via the double chance after a tight 4-2 loss to Queechy in the second semi final before grinding out a 2-1 result against cross town rival City Marians in the Preliminary Final last week.
The two sides have met five times in 2024, the results a 1-0 win to South Burnie at the Tasmanian Club Cup Festival, before 5-2 and 7-1 wins to Queechy followed by a 2-2 draw in the penultimate rounds and that 4-2 Prelim.
Speaking of her side’s chances, Queechy Grand Final Captain Josie Kremerskothen said they have been working hard on business as usual.
Kremerskothen has shared captaincy duties this season with her sister Emma Quigley and Lucy Cooper.
“I think we’ve really drilled in to keep with our normal processes,” Kremerskothen said.
“Patience and just playing to our strategies.
“We’ve been very disciplined and we want to bring that into the game this weekend.
“We’d love to bring home the win but if we play our usual game to the best of our abilities, we’ll be happy.”
The Penguins preparation has reflected this as they try to continue building a cohesive unit.
“We’ve done our usual two full trainings and doing an early training tonight (Thursday) so we can do our final pub meal for team bonding,” the skipper said.
“We’re making an effort to be doing it as a team.
“We’re not winning as individuals; we’re winning as a team.”
Of the hex that seems to be plaguing Queechy in recent grand finals, Kremerskothen is, obviously, hoping to finally get a result.
“We’ve been so close and every year we go in wanting to be top of our game and we just haven’t come away so it would be a huge highlight for those who have been through those where we have lost to come through with one and succeed.”
“Our coaches, Nic Duffy and Emily Withington, have been tirelessly putting in so much effort to make sure we are tight knit.
“We’ll be making sure our family members can come to Burnie.
“We have car loads of people coming and it’s a fun road trip up the Coast.
We’d encourage as many as we can to head on out for a full day of fun.”
Queechy conceded just 10 goals for the season including finals but Tassie Tigers listed Hawks captain Meah Leary knows full well that of those 10, seven have been scored by the Hawks including four in the last two matches.
“I am very confident in the team we will have on the park Saturday,” Leary said.
“I back every single person on our team to get the job done, not just as a team but individually.
“We know as a team we have put the most pressure on Queechy all season and have been in very close competition the whole season.
“To know we have put the ball into the net more times than the whole other competition combined is an amazing confidence booster that we will take into Saturday.
South Burnie will join its male counterparts on Grand Final day with the men playing the curtain raiser and Leary is very proud of the fact both teams will play on the final day of the year.
“I think it is super important,” Leary said.
“The last time this happened was in 2009 when they both won a premiership, and I’d love to bring it back for 2024!
“It’s also important to show the other teams in the competition we are very competitive sides and can make it to the last final.”
Three South Burnie players were yet to be born last time the Hawks tasted GNLW Grand Final glory in 2009 with seven of the 16 eligible to play Under 18s in 2024.
“We have had a very young side this year which has been great to see some young girls step up and really improve their hockey knowledge and skills.
“The girls have slotted in very nicely to our team with older heads and have taken on their wisdom and learnt continuously throughout the year.
“It’s important that we keep improving these young girls as they are the future of our GNLW team at South Burnie.
“The support we have had this year from our club has been amazing.
“So many parents, family members and friends etc. have travelled to come watch and support which has been amazing.
“The support we had last week in our preliminary final against City was just amazing!
“Our GNLW team really appreciates it!”
Leary has a personal stake in Grand Final day with fiancé Connor Poke playing in the men’s team while she gets to play with two family members.
“Playing in the Grand Final with my Mum (Tessa) and my sister Chloe is something special I am looking forward too.
“That doesn’t happen too often.”
A live stream of the GNLW Grand Final is available at the link below.
GREATER NORTHERN LEAGUE WOMENS GRAND FINAL
Saturday 14 September 2024 at 3:00pm
Queechy v South Burnie
McKenna Park, Burnie
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