Some impressive wins along with some crushing losses meant it all came down to the final game, and even that was a cliff hanger.

We examine why the Wanderers claimed their first ever finals ticket and what they have that could take them further. 

1. Experience and class 

The Wanderwomen of yesteryear have had plenty of top notch players. Sarah Walsh, Linda O’Neill and current assistant coach Catherine Cannuli to name a few.

However this season’s team had a number of them, all at the same time. 

Wily veteran Ella Mastrantonio has been exceptional. Her coach Dean Heffernan stated she was one of the most technically gifted players in the world, and he was spot on.

‘The Maestro’ has played over 100 W-League games and has represented Australia. She knows what it takes to perform at an elite level. 

Mastrantonio added a lot of starch in the middle, she was the glue that stuck the team together.

Whether it was tracking back to shut down opponents, reading the play brilliantly to intercept passes, being ever present to receive a pass from one of her defenders or possessing the ability to use her footwork and strength to get around her opponent before releasing dangerous balls to her forwards, Mastrantonio had it all. 

With Matilda Amy Harrison and Irish super star Denise O’Sullivan controlling the middle with Mastrantonio, the Wanderwomen were formidable in the engine room.

American forwards Kristen Hamilton (seven goals) and Lynn Williams (four goals) were the icing on the cake for Heffernan’s team as they combined with the midfield to steam roll opponents early in the season. 

The departure of Williams and O’Sullivan was a major body blow, but last night in Perth, Hamilton and Mastrantonio came to the fore as they drove their team to finals. 

2. Young guns 

Every team needs a balance between the wisdom of experience and the exuberance of youth. While the veterans stood up this season, so did two impressive youngsters.

Left back Courtney Nevin has been exceptional all season. As well as repelling attacks, the clever defender used her dangerous left peg to launch many a dangerous ball into opposition penalty boxes. ‘Lethal’ as she is known, was involved in 10 scoring chances this season. 

What she lacks in speed the 18-year-old makes up for in stamina. She can run all day and will harass and hound the opposition all day long. With impressive control and an eye for taking advantage of a counter attack, Nevin will be a key player if the Wanderwomen are to go far into the finals. 

Kyra Cooney-Cross is a future Matilda. No doubt about it. The youngster, who’s family live in Geelong, scored some brilliant goals this year as well as assisted a number of others. 

With neat footwork and an eye for a goal, Cooney-Cross is the live wire type of player that Dean Heffernan needs in his team. She set up the season with a free kick winner in the opening round against Adelaide, her two goals and two assists in the Sydney derby were brilliant, and last night when her team needed her the youngster stepped up. 

She set up the first two goals with teasing corners. Her general play was very good. 
The one issue is that she sometimes doesn’t touch the ball enough during the game. If Heffernan can get her more involved in the finals, the Wanderwomen will be even more dangerous. 

3. Last line 

Every successful team needs a top notch centre-back. In American Sam Staab, the Wanderers have a defender who can read the play and then clear the ball away with purpose. She is as tough as they come and is rarely beaten in a physical contest. 

She has chalked up 704 passes at 80% accuracy this season, the most for her team. Add to that 43 clearances, 17 interceptions and eight blocks. She also wins the majority of her ground and aerial duels (58%). 

Her long throw ins can be as dangerous as a corner and adds another string to her bow. 

Abby Smith is back in goals after injury and is a pillar of strength down back. She can block shots but is also not afraid to go for the ball and grab it when needed. 

Having these two down back is a pleasant side for Heffernan and his coaching staff. 

4. Six and out 

The Wanderers were sitting pretty just after Christmas. They were second on the ladder and finals seemed a forgone conclusion. However, a 4-0 loss to Brisbane Roar led to a run of four losses in five games. 

The major reason for this was the loss of key players. Erica Halloway went down with a season ending injury, Smith hurt herself at training and O’Sullivan’s seven game stint finished up.  

If that wasn’t bad enough, Williams announced she won’t be back after the international break due to commitments with the US national team. 

In last Thursday night’s game against Melbourne City, the Wanderwomen had their best six players out.

Williams, O’Sullivan, Smith, Mastrantonio, Hamilton and Erica Halloway were all missing from their best team.

Three of them are now back and the Wanderer’s army will be hoping youngsters like Chloe Middleton, Cortnee Vine and Susan Phonsongkham who stepped up in their place will step up in the heat of finals. 

5. Play smart

Nearly every goal conceded this season by the Wanderers (with the exception of the Melbourne City game) came down to silly errors. 

If the Wanderers can get back to playing intelligent and thoughtful football, they will be in with a chance of winning a final or two. 
 

Finals is not the place for a howler. Be it a silly pass or a poor touch, the Wanderwomen can not afford such mistakes and need to ensure they stay focussed. 
 

The Wanderwomen also need to control their tempers. Hamilton and Mastrantonio were the culprits in the derby two weeks ago. Mastrantonio plays with passion and the Wanderer’s fans love her for it, but she needs to keep that in check or risk more than a yellow card. 

6. Go for it

Melbourne City away in two weeks will be a tough final. Make no mistake. 
The only thing to do for the Wanderers is to go hard. 

The game at Marconi Stadium last Thursday was disappointing in the Wanderers effectively conceded the game by playing cautiously. They played out of the back too slowly and always ended up turning over the ball. 

When they did move the ball quickly they looked dangerous. On March 15, they need to move the ball with purpose and not be afraid to go for the killer ball. 
There is no point playing conservatively against City as they will simply run over the top. 

Nevin on the wing and Vine up front with her speed will complement perfectly the class of Mastrantonio, Hamilton, Harrison and Cooney-Cross. 

Melbourne City’s swarth of Matildas will be tired after what will be a tough two legged Olympic playoff against Vietnam. They will be tired, there is no better chance to knock off the seemingly invincibles. 

7. Red & Black army

Co-incidentally, the Wanderer’s A-League team are playing Melbourne City on the Saturday night before. There is a good chance a healthy contingent of Wanderers fans will make the trip down and then go to the semi-final on Sunday. 

Easily the best set of fans in the league, they are bound to make plenty of noise. This could be the 12th person the Wanderers need to beat the best team in the land.