Lindsay Anfield: It's York Valkyrie's time to win BWSL Grand Final

The Valkyrie take on rivals Leeds Rhinos this afternoon (3pm) in a hotly-anticipated repeat of last year’s trophy-crowning match.

That tie will be played after the Promotion Play-off Final between Barrow Raiders and Leigh Leopards, which kicks off at noon.

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Having made history with back-to-back League Leaders’ Shields, York have the perfect platform to gain revenge for their 12-4 defeat in last year’s Grand Final.

And Anfield admits that things feel different this time around.

“I think that we’ve played a lot of games at Headingley and a lot of games at St Helens, so to finally have one at our home ground is great for us,” she explained.

“We do feel comfortable here, but we’re not complacent as to what Leeds can bring.

“They’re picking up steam as the season goes on and they’ve turned over St Helens twice now. It was a really close game [in the Semi Final] which has stood them in really good stead in terms of the intensity that they played at.

“We’ve just got to take strength and encouragement in the fact that we’re here and the fact that we’ve played really well here all season.

“It’s our time now.”

Valkyrie captain Sinead Peach (left) scored their only try in last year's Grand Final. (Image: Craig Hawkhead)

Anfield believes that the Valkyrie will only be tougher and stronger for last year’s defeat.

Having trailed to two converted Caitlin Beevers tries, Sinead Peach hit back with an outstanding effort, but a win proved out of the Valkyrie's grasp.

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“To lose a Grand Final, it makes for a really tough off-season because you’re ruing your chances and you’re going over the games a million times.

“By the time that you’re reaching pre-season, all that you’re thinking about is reaching the next Grand Final and trying to put things straight.

“That’s what we’ve done right from day one in January.

“Now that we’re here, we’ve got to make sure that we take our opportunities and go all the way.”

Ticket sales have shown no signs of slowing down, with York selling their initial allocation of 500 tickets in less than 24 hours, as well as a further three East Stand blocks earlier this week.

The RFL confirmed on Thursday that sales had already eclipsed those of last year’s final, with a new record attendance expected to be set at the LNER Community Stadium this weekend.

With Leeds also expected to bring a large backing on the short journey from West Yorkshire, the benefits of a raucous Yorkshire crowd is something that Anfield and her opposite number Lois Forsell can agree on.

“I spoke to Lois and we’re both really excited that it’s in Yorkshire – with two Yorkshire teams playing in Yorkshire!” Anfield enthused.

“Last year it was over in Lancashire and that will obviously dumb down the noise and the crowd numbers.

“This year feels like it’s going to be a really special one.

“That noise and that 18th player on the field is something that we’ve never had before in a play-off game and I think that it will be massive for our girls.

“It’d be so special and so exciting [to win in front of a home crowd]. When I came here two and a half years ago, the stadium had just been built and the women’s team wasn’t doing particularly well.

“To build from that and now have a secure fanbase, a foundation, the RISE programme with Under 16s, Under 14s and now Under 19s and the women’s team being on this big stage and on the BBC and Sky Sports, it’s hopefully transformed the way that women’s sport’s being looked at in York and is giving some good role models for the young girls.”

Leeds head coach not fazed by Valkyrie's home crowd at 'great' Grand Final

Anfield has made no secret that achieving Grand Final victory has been at the top of her side’s list of targets this year, having come so close to glory in 2022.

Lifting the trophy would not just be a personal achievement for the director of rugby, but also a way to thank chairman Clint Goodchild for his support.

The Australian has been a regular at the Valkyrie’s matches this season, recently revealing that they would not receive less financial incentive than they had this year.

“For me, personally, [winning a Grand Final] is something that you work towards,” Anfield reflected.

“You want to be the best team and you want to play the best rugby league and put the team in a good light.

“To do it here at York in front of our fans and our club that’s worked tirelessly to put us on the big stage every game we’ve played here this season.

“It’s a credit to the club for doing that, because not all of them do that for their women’s teams.

“We want to repay them by having a big trophy in the office.