Frenchville hope for a happy 70th

Megan Brighton will need to fire in the midfield for Frenchville.

Sharyn O'Neill

FRENCHVILLE are hoping their recent change in form will help them celebrate their milestone year in style.

2010 marks the 70th anniversary of the club's establishment and what better way to finish it than with a grand final trophy.

Their 3-1 win over Park Avenue Brothers on Saturday night signalled to the remaining sides in the finals that Frenchville are a serious contender for this year's title and the side is not ready to stop now.

“The girls are just coming really good at this time of the year,” Frenchville coach Robert Finlay said.

After starting the season well, they struggled through the middle part of the year due to players being unavailable but have found form at the right time of the year.

Finlay believes if his entire side is available, his players have what it takes to win this year's final.

“We've struggled with our numbers this season,” Finlay said.

“Because we have a fairly young side we miss a lot of the younger girls through junior representative commitments.”

On the weekend, Finlay was particularly impressed with one of the senior players in the side that has missed a few games this season through representative commitments, Australian Country goalkeeper Melissa Crossman.

The combination of Crossman's impressive goalkeeping skills and her leadership from the back showed why she is considered the best women's keeper in the region.

Facing Southside this weekend will prove to be a tough task for Frenchville after Southside's 0-0 draw with Wanderers on the weekend.

Due to Wanderers higher placing on the ladder, they advanced straight through to the A grade grand final next weekend.

Frenchville's Debbie Burchard and Megan Brighton in the midfield will need to shut down star midfielder Andrea Farrow's combination with fullback Brooke Andrews to prevent Southside from advancing the ball into the goal circle.

If the pair can control the game like they did against Brothers, Frenchville are a good chance of advancing through to next weekend's grand final.

“We know we can beat them,” said Finlay.

“Anything's possible now.”