Maddy and Georgie Prespakis are set to face off in a do-or-die AFLW elimination final this weekend.
The Bombers, led by star midfielder Maddy – who has been regarded among the AFLW's best players for a number of seasons, will take on Georgie's Geelong at GMHBA Stadium tomorrow.
Essendon are coming off a 14-point loss to the Gold Coast Suns last weekend but will go into tomorrow's clash full of confidence having already recorded a win over Geelong this year.
In Round 6, the Bombers were able to overcome a scoreless opening term to restrict the Cats to their lowest score of the season on the way to a 4.5 (29) to 2.7 (19) victory.
Maddy Prespakis starred that day with a game-high 33 disposals – her best return of 2023 – and second highest disposal tally ever behind her 37-possession game last year, also against Geelong.
Still just 23 years old, she is building an enviable resume which includes being a four-time AFLW club best-and-fairest winner (three at Carlton, one at Essendon), AFLW Rising Star winner and three-time AFLW All-Australian representative.
She is averaging 27 disposals and five tackles across her ten games this season.
Prespakis told the AAP during the week that she is confident in her team and wants to help lead them to the ultimate on-field success.
"I want to bring success to Essendon. I want to be part of the success we bring to Essendon," she said.
"We always say that (to make) finals is one thing but to win finals is the next, so I'm really bullish about the group that we have."
Maddy admitted there will be mixed feelings for her family during tomorrow's encounter.
"Mum might have an Essendon scarf and Geelong T-shirt on; pretty much everyone in the family will do that," she said.
Younger sister Georgie enters the contest in brilliant form after recording a career-high 35 disposals in the Cats' big win over Hawthorn last weekend.
Georgie also had a strong game the last time these two teams met having recorded a team-high 26 disposals and seven tackles as the Cats' best performer.
The 20-year-old is in just her third year in the elite level competition but has already established herself as one of the AFLW's stars.
She has had a career-best season with averages of 25 disposals and seven clearances per game.
Georgie said in a press conference that her team slowly built form towards the back end of the season.
"We have really hit out straps the last few weeks," she said.
"I think the messaging across that is just playing together and enjoying our football.
"We want to play with freedom and the past two games we have been able to play eight consistent quarters, and to be able to win games you have to be strong across the entire match."
