Sunday’s blockbuster showdown between the two most dominant sides of the season will be played at twilight on Ballarat’s biggest stage of all – Mars Stadium. 

Redan coach Peter Forbes moved his team’s training sessions to City Oval to better replicate the dimensions of the Mars Stadium surface, while the players also practised with a yellow ball to prepare for the fading light.

But he said what made the event more significant than just the location was the fact two Ballarat senior women’s teams had never faced off in a grand final, let alone won the premiership.

Forbes believed the key strength to his squad this year had been its depth, but was also impressed by the maturity and skill improvement his players had shown throughout the season. 

Redan co-captain Erin Burns said she could not be more proud of the team they had become this year.

“The skill level across the board has improved each week, which is a testament to the effort the girls put in at training,” she said.

“We know we have a tough game ahead of us. East Point has been the most challenging side to play all season, but we are so excited to have the opportunity to play on Mars Stadium and we are committed to giving it our all.”

East Point captain Zoe Wathen said there was a mixture of nerves and excitement among the Dragons. 

“It’s not a ground we’re that familiar with, but we know it’s the premier ground in Ballarat so we’re glad we get to play on it,” she said.

Wathen attributed East Point’s impressive season to an improvement structurally with a few new faces and a team-first mentality rather than focus on individuals.

She believed the Dragons had really clicked over the last couple of months and had hit form at the right time.

“We knew they (Redan) would probably be the team to beat right from the start of the season,” Wathen said.

“We’ve had very close games with them in the season and we’re hoping those games have shown we are capable of defeating them.”