Arrive Alive NSW Women?s Super League Grand Final Preview

Well, we?ve finally arrived at the biggest weekend of the season in the Arrive Alive NSW Women?s Super League. Sunday is Grand Final Day at Cook Park, St Mary?s with the league?s two best sides ready to do battle for the title of Premiers.
There?s little doubt that fans of the Arrive Alive NSW Women?s Super League couldn?t ask for a more fitting climax to the season than to see Minor Premiers, Western NSW Panthers FC clash with Club Champions, Illawarra Stingrays. These two sides have been the benchmark in 2008 but it?s the contrast in their playing styles that makes this match up all the more intriguing.
Illawarra Stingrays have been the attacking titans this season. The Stingrays scored 107 goals during the season; almost twice as many as any other side in the league. They play a fast, open style of football which tends to intimidate many of their opponents. The Illawarra strike pair of Michelle Carney and Michelle Heyman have proven lethal, combining skill, pace and power which has left most defences grasping at thin air. But The Stingrays have more to offer than just a pair of aces in their strike force. The return of Christie Akid for the Finals series is a big boost for Illawarra. Akid was dynamic for Illawarra earlier in the season before suffering a finger injury which kept her on the sidelines for an extended period. Her 56 minute ?cameo? in the semi final against The Panthers was full of the qualities that have made her such a valuable player for The Stingrays in 2008. Like any classy filly Christie is sure to be much better for the run. Team Captain Jessica Cooper will be missing from the line up, having also missed the semi final after being injured in the final round of the competition. Illawarra are fortunate to have the depth to cover her loss but one can only feel for Cooper. It?s not easy for a player to be watching from the sideline on Grand Final Day.
Illawarra?s quality across the park makes them a dangerous opponent. Whilst The Panthers managed to keep Carney and Heyman relatively quiet in the semi final they were hurt elsewhere as players like Cassie Halloway and the Danyi twins were allowed more space. When a side bases their game on attack and have so many offensive options it makes it a tough assignment for the opposition. Illawarra?s own defensive effort in the semi final was impressive with Tina Siskoska proving outstanding. Illawarra are a seriously good football team.
The Western NSW Panthers have built their game around a miserly defence. The Panthers conceded only five goals in 18 rounds of competition; an amazing performance at such an elite level. The Panthers were undefeated during the season proper. They weren?t the type of side that gave any opponent a thrashing but the girls from Bathurst were often dominant. Tight, tough games were their speciality; The Panthers always seemed to come up with that vital goal when it was needed. Once they got their noses in front their water tight defence made sure there was no coming back for the opposition. Captain Gillian Rosconi has been a fine contributor for Western NSW with a string of great goals. Ashleigh Sykes has proven another deadly attacking weapon for The Panthers with her dazzling turn of foot making her a headache for even the best defences in the league. Sammie Wood was The Panthers best player in the semi final. She will be keen to take revenge on The Stingrays with a five star performance in the biggest game of the season. The Panthers will miss both Vanessa Hart and Shannon Waine but Grand Finals are all about the players who have to carry the day. Injured stars are missed but others step up on the big occasion. Nobody at The Panthers will be taking a backward step come 3.30pm at Cook Park!
The Panthers appeared to be on the back foot from the start in the major semi final against Illawarra. The Stingrays came out breathing fire and The Panthers battled to survive. The Bathurst girls seemed to be looking to get Illawarra on the break but they struggled to supply quality ball to the likes of Rosconi and Sykes so the plan could come to fruition. Illawarra have appeared to dominate the last two meetings between the sides. The Panthers need to look back to a cold day in June at a little park in Bathurst to get the blueprint for success this Sunday. That was their best performance of 2008; can they do it again?
This promise to be everything a Grand Final should be. The three meetings between these sides in 2008 have seen a 2-1 win to The Panthers at home, a 1-1 draw in Wollongong and a 1-0 win to Illawarra at Valentine?s Park in the semi final. Illawarra will undoubtedly create plenty of scoring opportunities. Will they be able to take advantage under the pressure of the biggest match of the season? Western NSW are likely to have less chances come their way but can they grab one early and then set up their stonewall defence?
Both these clubs have offered me large amounts of money to tip the OTHER team. Gee, if I wasn?t so thick skinned I?d be offended! I?ve enjoyed watching both teams in action during the season. The coaches, the players, the supporters have given their all. Either of the teams would make deserving champions. However, we can only have one winner.
At the risk of being shot the next time I enter the Bathurst city limits I?m putting my money on The Stingrays to take the title. I?ve been a fan of Illawarra?s style since the first day I saw them in action at Concord Oval against Inter Lions. That positive impression hasn?t dimmed as the season?s progressed. There won?t be much in it but one goal?s enough.
Good luck to both sides. I?m sure this match will display all that?s positive about women?s football.
-By Ross Anderson