A look at the numbers that matter ahead of Sunday’s Westfield W-League 2016 Grand Final between hosts Perth Glory and reigning champions Melbourne City.
Both competing clubs are in their second Grand Final with the Glory losing finalists two years ago, and City winning last season in their maiden campaign.
The big match at nib Stadium will be the ninth edition of the Grand Final, with the season decider enjoying a rapidly developing history.
Here we take a look at some of historical highs and statistical landmarks set over the past eight seasons.
26 – Melbourne City are vastly more experienced when it comes to experience of the big day with their squad boasting a cumulative total of 26 Grand Final appearances between 11 players. Perth Glory in contrast have three players sharing six Grand Finals between them.
2 – While all 11 City players have previously tasted a Grand Final win only two Perth Glory players have previously done so – Kim Carroll (Brisbane Roar, 2011), and Sam Kerr (Sydney FC, 2013).
5 – Melbourne City midfielder Aivi Luik is set to equal Tameka Butt’s record of five Grand Final appearances.
1 – Only one player in each squad has previously been on the scoresheet in a Grand Final. The Glory’s Sam Kerr for Sydney FC in 2013, and City’s Lauren Barnes for Melbourne Victory in 2014.
4,554 – The record crowd for a Westfield W-League Grand Final. That figure was set in the maiden championship decider in 2009 at Brisbane’s Ballymore as the Roar defeated Canberra United.
2 – Melbourne City are looking to be the first club to win back-to-back Westfield W-League Championships and the fourth club to win two Westfield W-League Championships after Brisbane Roar FC (2009 & 2011), Sydney FC (2010 & 2013), Canberra United (2012 & 2015).
Fourth – Melbourne City are aiming to become only the second club to win the Westfield W-League championship from fourth place after Sydney FC did so in 2013.
13 – Perth Glory’s Kim Carroll, Alyssa Mautz and Arianna Romero have started in all 13 of Perth Glory’s matches this season, whilst Laura Alleway, Steph Catley, Rebekah Stott and Lydia Williams have done likewise for Melbourne City.
Westfield W-League Grand Final
Perth Glory v Melbourne City
Sunday 12 February 2017
nib Stadium, Perth
Kick-off 4:30pm Local, 7:30pm AEDT
Tickets on sale at www.w-league.com.au/tickets from Tuesday, 7 Feb at 9am Local, 12 midday AEDT
The best is yet to come! #WLeagueFinals #BeRemarkable
The Westfield W-League 2017 Grand Final will be broadcast LIVE on Fox Sports and ABC TV.
