Arrive Alive NSW Women?s Premier League Round 20 Preview
The NWS Koalas have stumbled to successive defeats which has seen their four point lead disappear, leaving them now sitting second via for and against behind Macarthur Rams. Both Rams and Koalas have some hurdles to overcome in their last two matches; The Rams meeting the improving Sydney University and semi final contenders Manly United FC, whilst The Koalas meet Manly and fourth placed Marconi Stallions. The Rams would look to be slight favourites to retain their Premiership honours but this competition has thrown up some rather perplexing results in recent weeks.
The battle for fourth place is still alive also with Penrith Nepean United hanging on in their chase of both Manly United FC and Marconi Stallions. The ?catch up match? between manly United and Penrith will be pivotal but Manly in particular have a tough run to the finals that is loaded with pitfalls. Penrith play the two bottom of the ladder sides; Central Coast Lightning and Sutherland Sharks in the final two rounds. One would believe that, given Penrith have so much to play for, they can claim maximum points in these matches. Can Manly be sure of the same against NWS Koalas and Macarthur Rams? No, I don?t think our semi finalists are settled at this moment!
The match of the weekend, in so many ways, is the battle between 2nd placed NWS Koalas and 3rd placed Manly United FC. As outlined in previous paragraphs this game is critical to both teams. The Koalas had lost one game in 17 rounds until the last fortnight. Successive defeats in sight of the finals series is not what Koalas Coach Claude De Francesco would be looking for. The Koalas need to bounce back and how better than in a critical game such as this one?
Manly United FC simply have to keep winning to confirm their place in the finals. Consecutive wins over the competitions two leading teams would be a marvellous boost leading into a finals campaign so the next two weekends could well define Manly?s season. Are they meeting The Koalas at the right time or the worst time?
I?ll risk being banned from ELS Hall Park by tipping a narrow Koalas win.
Central Coast Lightning throw down the ?welcome mat? to Penrith Nepean United at Pluim Park. Central Coast took hammering last weekend at the hands of Marconi Stallions. Their season has been littered with similar performances as this young side try to keep their heads above water. Pride is all that?s left to play for but even that?s proving too difficult for the girls to muster in their present circumstances.
Penrith, like Manly, just have to keep winning. Their finals hopes hang by a thread but where there?s hope there might be glory. Penrith have every motivation to maintain their stalking of both Manly and Marconi in the last two preliminary rounds. A finals spot may yet be theirs.
Penrith to win this one convincingly.
Macarthur Rams host Sydney University at Lynwood Park. This can be a danger game for The Rams. It was only a couple of weeks back that University upset NWS Koalas. I?m sure that they?d love to add another giant scalp to their belts with a win over Macarthur.
The Rams scored a great win over Koalas last weekend with a late double to Renee Cartwright winning the day. Now that they?re back atop the ladder, albeit only by virtue of a superior for and against, The Rams will want to sustain a winning run into the finals series.
I believe that Macarthur have too many ?big guns? for University but the girls from Sydney Uni love to prove me wrong. Macarthur by three.
In the final game of the round Sutherland Sharks meet Marconi Stallions at Harrie Dening Centre.
The Sharks have shown some worthwhile form in recent weeks but their last clash with Marconi saw a dominating display from The Stallions.
Marconi have plenty to play for as their finals spot is not yet 100% ensured. A win here would take some pressure off prior to next weekend?s final round match against Koalas at Marconi Stadium. The Club Championship is also a motivation for The Stallions so they?ll be looking for maximum points to round out the season.
The Sharks girls have shown in the last few weeks that they can match the top sides when they put their minds to it. They looked very dispirited last time they met Marconi; maybe this is an opportunity for redemption.
Still, commonsense says that I have to tip Marconi. Maybe my Sharkies girls can have the last laugh again?
A number of vital games this weekend leading into the last round of the season. That final round gets no easier with the ?big four? clashing the week before the finals. The pressure is on and we?re about to find out which sides are contenders and which are pretenders.
-By Ross Anderson
