Brisbane goalkeeper Casey Dumont is confident her side can triumph against the odds in this week’s Westfield W-League grand final at Shark Park and make it two trophies from as many seasons.
Sydney FC will head into Saturday’s season decider fresh from a 3-0 victory in their semi-final against Canberra United, and high on confidence having not lost since October 5.
The Roar on the other hand scraped into the grand final, playing one short for the last 20 minutes of their 1-0 triumph over the Central Coast Mariners.
Dumont admitted her side’s campaign has not been as dominant compared to their efforts in the inaugural Westfield W-League season, but she was nonetheless upbeat about causing an upset this weekend.
“You can’t go in thinking you’re not going to get it, because that’s a negative attitude,” Dumont told Sportal.
“I think there has only been one game this season, against Newcastle (Round 10 at Wanderers Oval where the Roar won 6-0), when we have actually played close to our ability.”
“We just need to do the simple things … and have a positive attitude and we should come out with a good outcome.”
The last time the two sides met in a sudden-death fixture it proved to be high drama.
The Sky Blues were bundled out of the premiership race at Ballymore Stadium in the first season when Dumont starred in a penalty shootout.
With the two sides unable to be split in their semi-final, the 17-year-old made two crucial saves and also unleashed a searing spot kick of her own.
Dumont suggested coach Jeff Hopkins was yet to decide on who would take the shots if another shootout eventuated, but she was putting her hand up once again.
“It’s up to Jeff, but he has it in his mind that I’m there and if he needs me then I’ll step up, but it might not happen,” she said.
“It would be good if we can win in normal time instead of having to do the two-hour thing all over again.”
“But we’ve been practicing just in case, you can never be sure it’s not going to happen.”
“We’ve all been taking shots and seeing who is ready to step up, so if it comes down to that, then we’ll be ready.”
However Dumont did not believe her side would spend too much time reviewing last season’s pulsating semi-final.
“They (Sydney FC) have worked so much harder and better than last year … so we can’t go into the game with the same mindset.”
“They’ve got some great players that weren’t there last season and we are also a completely different team.”
Dumont will be hopeful of coming away from this weekend with a clean bill of health, something that did not eventuate against Canberra in the inaugural grand final when she was left dazed by a couple of errant boots to the head while diving on a loose ball.
“I don’t actually remember the collision … I just remember my head hurting.”
“I wasn’t allowed to go out with the girls afterwards, so I’m assuming I was in a bad state, but it happens – it is just part of the job of being a keeper.”
The Roar did not pick up any fresh injuries against the Mariners, but a disappointed Sasha McDonnell – who represented Canberra in last season’s decider, will miss out after picking up a red card in the semi-final.
