GRANDMA – it is a badge many people wear with pride, but seldom on a soccer field.

“Myself, Teegan Courtney and Megan McFarland all started around the same time and I’m the oldest on the team now, so they call me grandma. I just tell them they can do all the running,” Western NSW Mariners FC star Kristy Collingridge said.

The 25-year-old experienced midfielder will spearhead the Mariners’ assault tomorrow when they face Bankstown in the women’s State League grand final at Sydney’s Valentine Sports Park.

She will play a crucial role between attack and defence against a side who have become something of a nemesis for the Mariners, most recently beating them 2-0 in the major semi-final a fortnight ago.

Collingridge is one of five Bathurst players in the side along with sisters Morgan and Kelsey Sherman, goalkeeper Jess Daymond and defender Annabel Meadley.

“It will be a huge challenge, we won’t give them an easy game and I know they won’t give us one either, but we definitely have what it takes to win,” Collingridge said.

“It is going to depend a lot on where we’re at with our finishing. When it is on, it makes a massive difference for us. Bankstown also have a very dangerous key striker and it will be up to our backs and our defensive mids to block things up there.”

Collingridge, along with Courtney and McFarland who she deputised for as captain last Sunday in the preliminary final win over St George, is one of the last remaining links to the former Western Panthers opens team who she joined in 2010.

She spent a few seasons with the side during the transition to the Mariners before sitting out in 2013 and 2014 due to a combination of injuries and what she described as a lack of interest. 

But that has disappeared.

“Half the reason I didn’t come back at that stage was that I was just over it,” she admitted.

“I’m absolutely loving it now, it is the best season I’ve had I think and normally where I’d be waiting for the season to end by this stage, now I’m getting upset because it is nearly over.

“I had a pretty rough start after not playing for a while, but I’m starting to feel a bit better about my game. It’s only taken me the whole year!

“Playing as a bit of a leader has been awesome. I don’t feel under pressure as such going into this weekend and it isn’t so much an honour – that’s too extreme – but it is a great feeling to be a leader in this team.

“It has been so enjoyable this year. In 16 years of playing Mick [Godbier] is the best coach I’ve had, he’s very positive and doesn’t put anyone down. There’s critiquing, but the belief and confidence he instils in me and everyone else is awesome.“

Collingridge is positive her fellow Bathurst players can have a big impact on the outcome of the grand final.

“Jess in goals is just amazing and every week she does things that you wouldn’t think are possible, she’s won us more than one game this year,” she said.

“Morgan is back in the starting side now after missing a lot of the year, she’s technically so gifted, very sharp and makes quick decisions. 

“Kelsey was like Morgan, missed a lot of the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, and has done so well since coming back especially considering the impact that would have had on her fitness. She’s in the defensive midfield role and has had a great season.

“Annabel plays in our back line and usually alongside Megan McFarland as our other centre back, she’s so quick and nice and strong on the ball. She was brilliant last week against St George without Meg there and will do a great job again this weekend.”