Strikers generally get the glory but Merewether coach Cassandra Koppen has saved her praise for the other end of the field, rating goalkeeper Alison Logue pivotal to booking a second straight grand final appearance against Warners Bay.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Merewether and the Panthers are set to again battle in the Herald Women’s Premier League grand final at Weston on Sunday. Last year United won the decider 4-3 after trailing 3-1 at half-time.
“We’ve definitely relied on Al a lot more this year and she has played a big part in us getting through to the grand final again,” Koppen said.
While minor premiers Warners Bay scored 64 goals for the best attacking record in the league, Merewether boasted the most miserly defence by conceding just 17. They also recorded six clean sheets compared to the Panthers’ one.
“I’ve been called upon a bit more just due to the fact we’ve had key players out at various times,” Logue said.
“I’ve enjoyed this year more than last and it’s showed me I can still do it.”
Logue was just 13 when she debuted for Northern NSW Pride in the old Women’s National Soccer League.
It was a baptism of fire with the now 31-year-old recalling “we got hammered that game”.
She was on board for the Jets’ maiden voyage in 2009 and in the Newcastle W-League squad until 2012.
“We were losing a lot and I was the reserve keeper and I just wasn’t enjoying my soccer any more,” Logue said.
“Work had started to get in the way and my priorities changed and it was time to have a break.”
The fire fighter played a season in the NSW Premier League in Sydney before a season refereeing then took three years off from the game altogether.
Wondering if she “still had it” was part of the reason the shot-stopper joined Merewether last season for her first taste of WPL.
“I was nervous as anything the first game,” Logue said.
“I hadn’t hit the ground, hadn’t caught a ball for three years. I hadn’t done anything. It comes back to you pretty quickly. As for expectations, I just wanted to see if I could still play and if I enjoyed it.
“To win the grand final after coming back from three years off was pretty special.”
Merewether go into this weekend’s grand final having not beaten Warners Bay since last year’s decider.
The two sides have traded blows three times this season. Warners Bay won 3-1 in round six and 2-1 in round 20 and they drew 2-2 in round 13.
Related content: Warners Bay, Merewether through to WPL grand final
“Obviously we haven’t beaten Warners Bay this year, which will be a big task, but they’re not unbeatable as you can see by Southy in the semi-final and New Lambton earlier in the season,” Logue said.
“If they win Sunday then they get the premiership and championship and it would be fantastic for us to upset that.
“For us to get the double and be 2017 and 18 grand final winners would be fairly special.”
Praise has not only come from her own coach. Warners Bay player-coach Cassidy Davis rated Logue as her opposition’s key player.
“She has such experience and a real presence,” Davis said.
“She comes out like she’s bigger than the goals and it feels like you can’t get past her. I think she’s had a great year.”
Davis was also quick to praise the Panthers young goalkeeper Maddison Latter, who has stepped up to first grade this season.
“She has been one of the highlights of this season for us,” Davis said.
“She came from the 17s last year and is only 16. That’s massive for her and she’s had a great year and has grown a lot in confidence.
“We’ve brought a few younger girls up and quite a few of the 20s have come through as well and I think at some point throughout the year nearly every player in the squad has been involved.”
The grand final kicks off at 3pm on Sunday.
