Match Preview: FNSW League One women's Grand Final

Our Women’s Youth Team are set to take on South Coast Flame FC in this weekend’s 2026 FNSW League One Women’s Grand Final

Our Women’s Youth team finished the table in fourth place, tallying up 43 points across 24 regular season games (13W, 4D, 7L). It is also one of the youngest squads in the competition, with last weekend’s semi-final squad having an average age of just 17.

They scored 59 goals across the regular season and finals, second only to premiers SD Raiders who managed 81. Attacking duo Makayla Clifton and Mackenzie Preston-Poole combined for 31 goals, proving to be a threat against any team in the competition.

**Makayla Clifton is the league’s third top scorer with 18 goals** – Image Credit: Football NSW

They also finished with the fourth best defensive record in the league, conceding just 31 goals. Goalkeeper Ally Boertje kept six clean sheets across her 21 appearances in 1st grade. Boertje also played a significant role in the semi-final victory, saving a penalty in regular time before saving a further three in the resulting penalty shootout.

**Goalkeeper Ally Boertje saved four penalties in the semi-final** – Image Credit: Football NSW

Captain Navah Crofton is looking forward to competing in a grand final against a tough opponent in South Coast Flame,

“We’re all just so excited. We’ve worked hard throughout the season to get to this point, so to have the opportunity to play in a grand final is something the whole team can’t wait for. We know South Coast Flame are a quality side so we’re looking forward to a tough battle.”

“The vibe [after the semi-final] was unreal! It was such a high pressure game, coming back from behind, going to extra-time and then penalties. There was obviously a huge amount of emotion and relief when we got the job done. Winning a semi-final, especially like that, has brought us closer together.”

**Captain Navah Crofton dribbles the ball against Marconi Stallions** – Image Credit: Football NSW

“The main messaging from the coaching staff has just been to trust the work we’ve put in and to enjoy this experience.”

ALW assistant coach and senior women’s academy coach Jamie Dunning gave a glowing report of the group ahead of Sunday’s clash,

“The girls have been really bright, energetic and have trained with lots of intensity over the last few weeks and you can see that in the results. It’s been the same this week leading into the grand final.”

**A-League Women’s Assistant Coach and Academy Coach Jamie Dunning** – Image Credit: @kapturedbynat/Football NSW

“First feeling was relief after winning the semi-final. We are very proud of how the team fought back and then had the resilience to go and win the game on penalties. It showed a mental toughness and a togetherness within the group and now they know they can win games from anywhere.”

“The group is looking forward to the grand final and have worked hard to get there. We just need to play the moment and not the occasion, stick to what we they have been doing over the last 6 weeks and if we do that then we have a great chance of winning the game.”