It’s not often you find yourself playing in a Grand Final, let alone being crowned a premiership player.

But come Sunday, Mikala Cann will strap on the boots for her second VFLW Grand Final and a chance to be crowned a back-to-back premiership player when the Pies take on the Western Bulldogs.

“It’s really exciting heading into a Grand Final as not many people get to experience it,” Cann told collingwoodfc.com.au.

“There’s such a buzz around the team and everyone is really up and about.”

In just her second year of footy, the 18-year-old was a member of Hawthorn’s 2019 VFLW premiership team before being drafted to the Pies’ AFLW side earlier this year.

Cann helped the Pies’ book their spot in the VFLW decider in last week’s 14-point victory over the Southern Saints.

“The whole week leading up to the Grand Final has been extremely exciting for the entire group and to have made it here is such a credit to the whole playing group, staff and medical team,” Cann said.

“For me, getting to be a part of another Grand Final is truly incredible.”

Having run out for 14 games with the VFLW Magpies this season including the finals series, Cann said she’s loved every minute with the group and has thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to improve her footy.

“This program is really good for developing our skills as AFLW players.

“It gives us the opportunity to fine tune our weaknesses and it’s been really good to have seen a change up in positions.”

Known to her teammates as ‘the Bull’, Cann is quick on her feet and brings great physicality to a contest. Her ability to play both as an inside midfielder and up forward demonstrates her great versatility as a player.

In terms of the big game itself, Cann acknowledged the Pies’ semi final loss to the Dogs was a tough pill to swallow. But she said her team used that as motivation heading into last week’s preliminary final against the Saints.

“Last weekend we showed that our ball movement and our foot skills, combined with a good use of space, is really key for us, and we didn’t use that in the semi-final against the Dogs.

“Using our strengths, solid ball movement and clean skills is going to be crucial for us on the weekend.”

So what advice does Cann have for her teammates heading into the big game?

“Just treat it like any other game, go into it with a really composed mindset and the key is to have fun.”

Collingwood will take on the Western Bulldogs in the 2019 VFLW Grand Final, Sunday 22 September, 11.35am at Ikon Park.