Arrive Alive NSW Women?s Premier League Round 21 Preview
Entering Round 21 all honours are still up for grabs; ensuring an exciting conclusion to the season proper. The Minor Premiership comes down to a battle between the defending Premiers, Macarthur Rams and the NWS Koalas.
The Rams hold a two point lead but face a daunting trip to Cromer Park in the final round. Their opponents, Manly United FC, may have their semi final spot at stake so there will be much to play for. The Koalas travel to Marconi Stadium for an encounter with third placed Marconi Stallions. Hardly an easy task but complicated further by the fact that the Club Championship will be decided by the day?s football between these two clubs. Marconi hold a thirteen point lead on the Club Championship table but the first grade fixture could well decide the fate of the title.
The race for the final four is still open though Macarthur Rams, NWS Koalas and Marconi Stallions are safely through to the finals series. Fourth place has come down to a decider between Manly United FC and Penrith Nepean United. These two sides meet in a catch up game at 7pm on Thursday evening at Cromer Park. A win to Manly in this fixture will cement their place in the top four. A loss or draw leaves the door open for the Penrith girls. Whilst Manly meet the competition leaders Macarthur Rams on Sunday, Penrith have what, on paper at least, looks like an easier clash with 7th placed Sutherland Sharks. I?m sure that Manly will be very keen to leave Cromer Park on Thursday night with their future already confirmed.
As our preamble has recognised, this weekend certainly offers some quality match ups. The Manly United FC v Macarthur Rams game at Cromer Park looks a beauty with two of the league?s more ?physical? teams going head to head. Apart from the reasons already outlined both sides will be keen to press home an advantage leading into the business end of the season. Manly?s inconsistency has cost them dearly in 2008; one week they look like championship contenders, the next also rans. It?s time to put up or shut up for the girls from the peninsula as there?s no tomorrows from here on in.
Macarthur have looked major premiership contenders since the season kicked off. They are within 90 minutes of claiming their second successive Minor Premiership. No-one would doubt their ability to add another Grand Final victory to their list of honours either. They have quality across the park; a squad of players who?ll certainly put plenty of pressure on Manly. Having nearly allowed the Minor Premiership to escape their clutches a few weeks back I doubt that The Rams will be in any mood to slip up in this one.
I think The Rams are specials to win this one.
Marconi Stallions host NWS Koalas at Marconi Stadium. The reasons this match is so vital have already been detailed. A few short weeks ago The Koalas had a four point lead in the competition and looked solid. A shock loss to Sydney University followed leaving The Koalas to only snare one point out of a possible nine in the last three weeks. The Koalas have managed to score narrow wins over Marconi in both their encounters this season. This is a match that requires nothing short of success for The Koalas. Can they get the better of The Stallions again?
Marconi themselves seem to be hitting form at the right end of the season. Whilst others are still trying to ensure their participation in the finals The Stallions are safely into next weekend?s elimination semi. A win over The Koalas plus a Club Championship title would be a great boost for the girls from Bossley Park leading into the competition deciders.
I fancy The Stallions may continue The Koalas recent woes with a narrow win here.
Penrith Nepean United meet Sutherland Sharks at Cook Park, St Mary?s. Thursday evening?s events will determine the importance of this match on the greater scheme of things. Sutherland themselves will be playing for pride alone. That doesn?t appear to have been a bad form of motivation for the Sutherland girls in recent weeks. Whilst they haven?t been racking up a series of wins The Sharks side have proven quite competitive against the competition?s heavyweights in a series of matches. They could make life very difficult for Penrith if the locals are under pressure to win this match for a finals spot.
Penrith have shown plenty of grit as they?ve fought to stay in the finals race. With a bit more luck here and there they may well have settled their future by now but what better way to prepare for the finals than with two sudden death encounters in four days? Penrith are good enough to make things interesting during the finals; are they good enough to get there?
Penrith left a very positive impression on me when they met The Rams at Lynwood Park back in Round 9. They?ve done nothing to lessen that impression since. I think they can win this match.
The final game of the round sees Sydney University playing Central Coast Lightning at Sydney University Oval. University have shown some very positive signs during the season. Whilst they?ve never been in a position to challenge for a finals spot they have had an influence on the table with a number of solid performances against more highly rated opponents. Maybe 2009 will be the year that the University girls take the next step? They will certainly be keen to end their season with an emphatic win over Central Coast.
The Lightning girls will be relieved to see the season over. It?s been a tough one for them, with the title of ?wooden spooners? never being a comfortable one to live with. The off season will allow time to regroup as the club looks to find success in next season?s Super League.
The form guide says that Sydney University must be favoured here.
A round of football that offers plenty of twists and turns, as the competition heads into the finals. Whilst four teams will be planning for the 2009 season after this weekend, four others will be scheming to grab an edge in the big games ahead. This weekend offers a mouth watering prelude to what awaits.
-By Ross Anderson
