Arrive Alive NSW Women?s Premier League Preliminary Final Preview

A place in the Grand Final is the prize the winners with either of these sides being worthy adversaries for the awaiting Macarthur Rams.
NWS Koalas, who just a few weeks ago looked as if they could scoop the pool of Arrive Alive NSW Women?s Premier League honours, now sit on the precipice of ending their season with no trophies at all. Considering the manner in which The Koalas have gone about their work in 2008 that would be something of a travesty. The Rams snatched the Minor Premiership from The Koalas at the last gasp. The Stallions held off their charge for Club Championship honours. Then, after losing on penalties in last week?s major semi final, The Koalas would be wondering just what they have to do to change their luck.
The squad is certainly not short of ability. Captain Alicia Cavanagh is an experienced campaigner who has been at the forefront on The Koalas efforts this season. She?s been ably supported by players like Rachel Jones, Natalie Spirovski, Anna McLean and Adriana Cirjak. Sanaa Hawkins has assisted on the goalscoring front along with The Koalas ?super sub? Danni Calvi. Despite the talent putting the ball in the back of the net has been an Achilles heel for The Koalas throughout the season. I?m sure that the girls from the north west would be keen to settle arguments on Sunday long before they have to venture to the penalty spot once more!
Last week?s battle royal with Macarthur should have produced plenty of positives for The Koalas. They gave as good as they got, keeping The Rams scoreless for almost 120 minutes. No mean feat at all. Coach Claude De Francseco would have spent the week getting his team re-focussed. The disappointment of last week has to be forgotten as The Koalas work towards a Grand Final showdown with their arch rivals. Only two weeks ago The Koalas beat Marconi comfortably at Marconi Stadium. The Stallions were weakened through injury and suspension that day but The Koalas will take confidence from the fact that they?ve beaten Marconi in all three matches the two sides have played this season. Can they maintain that perfect record on Sunday?
Marconi Stallions have looked a premiership contender from day one of the season when they thumped Macarthur Rams 5-0 at Lynwood Park. A lot of water has passed under the bridge since that day but The Stallions showed with last week?s semi final win over Manly United FC that they may be peaking at the right time. Marconi have a talented strike force with the in form Ash Connor, goal scorer extraordinaire Trudy Camilleri and the elusive Sam Muscat. Whilst the Stallions have lost Fab Perfilio through injury they lack nothing in the experience stakes with players like Amanda Poulton and Jodie Bain aboard.
In previous matches between these two teams Marconi have proven to be more than competitive. The Stallions have tended to start in dazzling style but not taken advantage of the opportunities they?ve created. Even in their most recent 4-1 defeat at the hands of The Koalas, The Stallions could well have established an early lead but for wasted chances. One wonders just how this match may pan out should Marconi manage to score early and put pressure on a Koalas attack that has problems of its own finding the back of the net.
The Stallions certainly gave notice of their finals intentions with last week?s dominant semi final victory over Manly. They put the Manly team on the back foot from the start with Ash Connor putting away the opening goal after just four minutes. Coach Mauro Tacco will have his fingers crossed that Connor or one of her team mates can give their side a similar boost on Sunday.
The last match between these two sides was open and entertaining. There was plenty of goalmouth action, lots of ball movement with the final score possibly flattering The Koalas a little. Being a semi final you may expect that this Sunday will be a much tighter encounter. There?s little between these two sides. One chance may be enough to settle the match.
Now, I admit that I enjoy tipping. Yes, I know that I?m not the best tipster in town but it?s fun having people offer me all sorts of inducements to put the death knell on the opposition. This weekend, I intend to show a more than reasonable amount of cowardice by reserving my opinion. As a football strategist I can see good reasons why either of these sides can come out on top. As a football fan I hate seeing someone have to bow out for the season. The Koalas must be the favourites on paper but that?s not where you play football! Finals are about holding your nerve, playing your game and being able to grab the moment when it beckons. There are so many good footballers taking part in this match that any one of them is more than capable of deciding the match.
No, I?ll sit on the fence this week and pull the splinters out when I get home. Good luck to both teams. I?m looking forward to Sunday?s game with much anticipation.
-By Ross Anderson