Embrace the opportunity.
That’s what it is all about for Collingwood as it attempts to follow in Darebin’s footsteps and become a two-time rebel VFLW premier.
The opportunity presents itself on Sunday when the Magpies take on Port Melbourne at ETU Stadium in the 2023 rebel VFLW Grand Final.
Collingwood has been one of the most successful teams across the VFLW since joining in 2017, boasting 61 wins and a draw from their 81 matches.
They won the 2019 flag in powerful style and were set to enter the 2021 decider as favourite, however the match was forced to be abandoned due to Covid lockdown.
After dropping off the pace last year and finishing sixth, the Magpies are back on the big stage in the most even season in VFLW history and coach Chloe McMillan and captain Caitlin Bunker couldn’t be more excited for the opportunity.
“Anything can happen and this is one of the tightest seasons that we’ve had, so to be here in this position after having those conversations in the pre-season is pretty exciting,” McMillan told State of Play: VFL/W Podcast this week.
“Knowing what we had the opportunity to do in 2021 and didn’t quite get there, we’re making the most of this and enjoying every part of this week and what’s to come.
“It’s been a challenging year. I think with three rounds to go we might have been seventh and we ended up finishing as minor premiers, so we’ve literally – as cliched as it is – taken it week by week.
McMillan said it was pleasing to have reached the Grand Final with a relatively squad in 2023.
“The group has been awesome and we’ve worked so hard this year so it’s really nice to be in this position,” McMillan said.
“We’ve had some really good footy and some weeks where we’d probably want to get back.
“The resilience of the group and the ability to want to get to work and keep pushing with the results we’ve had is enormous."
Bunker only managed six games in 2022 due to injury but has hit back to play all but one game this year.
Despite entering this year’s decider with a vastly different team to the one that took almost all before it two years ago, Bunker said the Magpies would use the missed opportunity of 2021 as motivation in Sunday’s decider.
“I’m just so thrilled that we get the opportunity again. We thought we’d have this opportunity a couple of years ago and four days after speaking with everybody on a day much like this one that chance was taken away from us,” Bunker said.
“Last season I was out with an injury and one of the biggest things I learned was no moment can be taken for granted. With that comes gratitude instead of stress, so that’s how I try to lead and try to encourage the girls that we’re so lucky to have this opportunity.”
Bunker was confident playing the Grand Final on Port Melbourne’s home ground wouldn’t be a hindrance to given Collingwood’s finals experience and the support they are certain to have on Sunday.
“One thing that is clear is the Collingwood Army across all teams is loud and proud and I know they’re going to turn up for us on the weekend,” Bunker said.
“We have people flying in from interstate, it’s a really great opportunity and I think being on ETU Stadium, sure it’s a home ground advantage for them but we have a lot of finals experience and a lot of that has been played at this oval, so I don’t see that as a setback for us at all.”
2023 rebel VFLW Grand Final
Collingwood (1st) vs. Port Melbourne (2nd)
Sunday, July 30 at 12:10pm AEST
ETU Stadium
Entry to the 2023 rebel VFLW Grand Final is free. Spectators are advised dogs are not permitted into ETU Stadium.
The AFL is pleased to confirm the 2023 rebel VFLW Grand Final will be broadcast live on the Seven Network in Victoria, and nationally on 7plus, with a stream also available at AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official App. Coverage will begin from 12:00pm.
