THE landscape has changed in the past 12 months – just ask Deakin University Female Football League grand final-bound teenager Jayda Page.
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The South Warrnambool defender will line up against Hamilton Kangaroos in Sunday’s decider at Pedrina Park.
Page, 15, said the competition had undergone a transformation in its second season.
“It’s a lot better structured,” she said.
“We used to have to swap jumpers and make the numbers but now it’s very organised.”
Page believes a Roosters’ premiership would have benefits for the region.
“Because there’s four teams in Warrnambool, I think it will really boost Warrnambool's football and get more girls down here to have a go,” she said.
The Roosters, whose only home-and-away season loss was to the Kangaroos, will embrace underdog status.
They enjoyed a form spike in their second season, winning nine of 10 games after winning three, losing four and notching a draw in their inaugural campaign.
“It feels pretty surreal from where we’ve come,” Page said. “We weren’t a very good side and now we’re going to play in a grand final so it feels pretty weird. We have pretty good run, so I think if we use it well and don’t get tired quick I think we could outrun them."
South Warrnambool captain Caitlyn Smith is one of the Roosters’ older players at 18.
“It’s my last year and I think that (a premiership) would just top it off,” she said of her time in the under 18 competition.
South Warrnambool coach Alicia Drew wants her charges to apply pressure on the red-hot favourites.
“We play as a team. They really care for each other and are always looking out for each other,” she said.
“I do tell the girls you have to tackle hard in the forward line because that’s how Richmond won the flag.”