FCFC choked after having the first 6 scores of the game, and lost by 1 point!
We’re actually the higher-ranked/“home” team, but this ground was locked in for the Prelim and Grand Finals regardless of whether Port made finals.
Port players vs FCFC. The FCFC midfielders smashed them for much of the game (including Fede, full-time mid).
Alomes dangerous forward. Williams zippy through the midfield.
Dudley zero disposals 
No history lesson this week – we already did that for Port/Richmond three weeks ago, starting from this post:
Stats Leaders (leaders, us, Port, Pies).
Apart from goals, the numbers below are averages… but the rankings are sorted by totals. The remaining teams have snuck a few more in, thanks to their extra games.
Disposals
1 - Jess Bates (Pies) 26.6
Goals
1 - Sarah Cameron (Willy) 19
2 - Monique Dematteeeeeeoooooo (Pies) 18
3 - Nyakoat Dojiok (Pies) 16
4 - MIA-RAE CLIFFORD 14
8 - Jess Bates (Pies) 11
Marks
1 - Maddie Boyd (Hawks) 5.2
5 - Maggie McKellar (Port) 3.3
6 - COURTNEY UGLE 2.8
Tackles
1 - GRACE DICKER 11.3
2 - Jess Bates (Pies) 10.3
4 - Caitlin Bunker (Pies) 9.3
5 - Kaitlyn O’Keefe (Port) 9.5
10 - Lauren Caruso (Port) 7.1
Kicks
1 - Jess Bates (Pies) 15.4
3 - Matilda Zander (Pies) 11.5
9 - Jessie Williams (Port) 11.7
10 - Kaitlyn O’Keefe (Port) 11.9
Handballs
1 - Jess Bates (Pies) 11.2
6 - GRACE DICKER 7.1
7 - Lauren Caruso (Port) 6.9
Hit-outs
1 - Leah Swain(Casey) 39.3
3 - Kate The Dudley (Port) 28.5
5 - Sarah King (Pies) 21.2
7 - Rene Caris (Pies) 19.1
Importantly, Alomes did not play in the previous game versus us.
In the previous game we dominated clearances (41-21, with Molan + Chaston + Dicker the top three midfielders, and Ryan getting clearances too). We won inside fifties 36-21.
Today Fark Carlton marginally won the clearances, and marginally lost the inside fifties.
Take our chances, and we’ll be in the Grand Final.
I hope Mia is OK.
Obviously they beat us by a kick, but the two of us had different recent outcomes vs Casey and the Pies (in our favour).
Going by this past weekend, unless we step up we will be outnumbered crowd-wise. Let’s make sure that doesn’t happen!
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shows leave pass
But I was at work!
If Fede kicks the winning goal I dunno what to think.
Is the grand final guaranteed to be played at North Port regardless of who wins?
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Yes.
In 2021 the higher-ranked team (us) hosted the Prelim, which made Geelong fans very sad 
From last year they switched the Prelim (Casey vs Sts) to Port.
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Bendigo Pioneers are NOT playing this weekend.
You know who should be brung in.
Brendan Rhodes says…
Head-to-head: Port Melbourne 2-1.
At ETU Stadium: Essendon 1-0.
Streak: Port Melbourne 1
THIS SEASON
Round 13 at ETU Stadium
PORT MELBOURNE 0.0, 1.1, 3.1, 3.4 (22)
ESSENDON 0.1, 0.1, 2.1, 3.1 (19)
BEST
Port Melbourne: K. O’Keefe, L. Caruso, J. Williams, E. Harley, I. Hartog, K. Whitehead
Essendon: E. Chaston, S. Molan, G. Dicker, B. Clarke, Z. Hurrell, M. Pearson
GOALS
Port Melbourne: N. Borg, F. Frew, J. Williams
Essendon: E. Chaston, M. Clifford, S. Orritt
…
SUMMARY
The Borough finally broke through for their first finals victory last week at the third attempt, which would have been a huge relief for all involved, especially given the fact it was a one-point thriller. They will take plenty of confidence in against the reigning premiers, with the bonus of playing on their home ground – where they edged the Bombers out in a thriller less than a month ago. But finals are a different ball game and Essendon has plenty of experience at winning them.
EARLY PREDICTION
Essendon by 6
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Strong woman.
Has done everything possible to stay on the field and give her all.
They’ve had their training sessions this week. Still a few days to gameday.
Should be selected.
I’d expect her to play.
Great inspiring leader.
We’re lucky to have her.
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ONE spot remains in the 2023 VFL Women’s Grand Final, with the winner of the Borough and Bombers to battle Collingwood in the decider.
Port Melbourne finished higher on the ladder, but a loss to the Magpies saw them have to face off in a knockout semi-final, just getting past Carlton to earn a double chance. Essendon on the other hand finished fifth, defeating Box Hill before going down to the Magpies last week.
Both these sides enter the penultimate round having won a final, and both lost to Collingwood, putting them on even pegging. Port Melbourne appears to be the favourite, having lost to the Magpies by 26 points at Victoria Park in the qualifying final, before bouncing back in a nail-biting one-point win over Carlton at ETU Stadium last week.
Essendon got a lot close[r] to the Magpies, going down by four points, but made it this far thanks to a 10-point victory on the road against Hawthorn. The Bombers have had to do it the hard way, playing away each week, and despite being the “home” team in the preliminary final, will front up against the Borough on their home deck.
Ex-Magpie Eloise Chaston was a standout for the red sash last week against her former side, collecting 21 disposals, four marks and laying six tackles in the loss. She has seemingly picked up a new lease of life, while Grace Dicker and tenacious small Reese Sutton were fierce around the contest.
The ruck combination of Megan Ryan and Jaimee-Lee Morrow worked well together, though veteran Mia-Rae Clifford (two goals) was the only goalscorer for the Bombers. The infusion of ex-Tiger Sophie Molan has helped fill the void left by those premiership Bombers who were drafted, while Courtney Ugle is always a damaging player.
For Port Melbourne, the Borough did not have a dominant ball-winner against Carlton, but scrapped it out well with Jessie Williams (16 disposals, 10 tackles) leading the way in those areas. Eliza Morrison and Federica Frew add great experience to the lineup, the latter incredibly familiar with the red and black in finals.
Georgia Alomes (two goals) was the sole multiple goalkicker last week, while Elizabeth Wilson will have a big job through the ruck for the Borough. Emily Harley and Olivia Barton are among the other important players for Port Melbourne heading into the do-or-die clash.
The last time these sides faced off was in Round 13 at this very venue. Port Melbourne got up by three points, 3.4 (22) to 3.1 (19). That day it was an even team performance from the Borough that got them over the line, with Lauren Caruso (17 disposals, seven tackles) the top ball-winner, and Barton and Harley both prominent. Chaston, Molan and Dicker racked up 65 disposals and 27 tackles between them for the Bombers.
Expect the game to be another thriller and go down to the wire, with both these sides having great experience across the board. The Bombers might have that additional top-end talent, but the Borough have incredible depth that has got them to this point.
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