Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League Round 17 Preview

Premiership Club Championship and semi final places are still up for grabs; those sides that are no longer in the running for any honours are trying their best to make life difficult for the leading clubs. I?ve heard people around the grounds say that only two sides are capable of going all the way to the title. Whilst Rams and Stingrays fans will agree with that assessment supporters from other clubs in the finals race may beg to differ.
This weekend?s stand out game is certainly the clash between Manly United FC and Macarthur Rams at Cromer Park.
Manly United have put in some excellent performances during 2009 but this is a vital game for them. No, it?s not just a matter of trying to secure second place on the competition table; it?s more about credibility. Manly are too slick for the majority of sides in the league but they?re yet to pull any points off the major contenders for the silverware. Sunday would be an opportune time for the girls from the peninsula to make a statement to all and sundry that they have what it takes to go all the way in 2009. Hopefully Manly will attract plenty of supporters to Cromer Park to cheer them on.
Macarthur Rams may be second on the ladder but to many they are the nominal favourites for this season?s title. On the trail of a hat trick of championships the Macarthur side has looked the testing material for the league?s contenders all season. Their defence has offered little opportunity for opposition sides whilst the potent attacking options of Haim, Cartwright, Ledbrook and Manty have left plenty of scoreboard bruises on opposition sides. The Rams are still in the hunt for the Minor Premiership but they can?t afford a stumble as they attempt to chase down the Illawarra Stingrays. 
This should be a top class game of football. Macarthur seems to have had Manly?s measure in recent seasons but the pendulum could be due to swing.
Sydney University will lay out the welcome mat for Penrith Nepean United at Hensley Athletic Field on Sunday. Whether the University side will be as welcoming on the field is another matter!
Sydney University?s win last week over Sutherland Sharks didn?t come easily but it certainly thrust them back into the thick of the finals race. They have some tough games coming up but at least now they?re in a position to put some pressure back on the NWS Koalas in the battle for fourth spot. University are a capable side but they lack that one match turning player. Whilst that?s not stopped them from being on the cusp of the finals this season it is the difference between a battle for fourth and a safe finals spot. Every game is a grand final for Sydney University now so they?ve got to ensure a solid win on Sunday.
Penrith Nepean United have done it tough in 2009. No-one likes to be negative about the team?s season but, with just two wins from sixteen games, it?s hard to paint a pretty picture. There are some promising youngsters in the side. Hopefully the club can build their future around some of those players. For now the season continues to offer up new challenges. Last weekend?s 5-0 loss to Manly United FC won?t help the sides confidence but their 1-1 draw with Sydney University in their last meeting will have the visitors thinking that they?re in with a chance on Sunday.
Sydney University have much to play for. They simply must win on Sunday. Penrith won?t be looking to make things easy for them though.
The competition leaders, Illawarra Stingrays, face the Sutherland Sharks at J.J.Kelly Park in what might be termed the ?Southern Derby?.
The Stingrays have a two point lead over Macarthur Rams in the race for the Minor Premiership. After their determined win over the defending premiers two weeks back The Stingrays had a struggle with a gritty NWS Koalas side last Sunday. With injuries to Caitlyn Cooper and Hailey Kerrigan along with Sam Spackman and Anne Mayo being unavailable Stingrays Coach Brett Wallin has a few headaches this week. Still The Stingrays are not short of talent. Illawarra are an attractive side to watch play football because they always look likely to score goals. Isn?t that what the game is all about?
The Sharks have been very disappointing this season. Up until the last couple of weeks they seemed to be playing without much spirit and seemed resigned to collecting the wooden spoon. To their credit the last two weeks has seen them dig deep, producing some excellent efforts against NWS Koalas and Sydney University.  The Stingrays will present a greater challenge again to the Sutherland side though with the team?s two encounters this season producing 21 goals for Illawarra and none for The Sharks. That?s a telling statistic that will really test Sutherland?s resolve on Sunday.
The form guide sees this one as The Stingrays continuing their march towards the Premiership. Can Sutherland provide the biggest upset of the season?
Marconi Stadium is the venue for the match between the Marconi Stallions and NWS Koalas.
Neither side took much joy from last weekend?s results; The Koalas going down narrowly to The Stingrays whilst Marconi lost heavily to The Rams. The Koalas effort was reflected on the scoreboard whereas Marconi?s may not have been.
The Koalas are likely to be weakened this week with key players being unavailable. However the NWS girls know that this match will have an important bearing on their finals hopes. A number of young players have been blooded this season through necessity and hopefully they will step up when needed on Sunday. The Koalas won?t be expecting any push over; Marconi has given them two tough matches in their previous clashes this season. It may be a matter of how well The Koalas side respond to the pressure of maintaining their top four position.
The Stallions stayed with The Rams for much of the first half last week but we?re overrun after the break. Marconi have competed well in many games this season but haven?t had much luck in closing out results. It?s not easy to replace some of the players that Marconi have lost since the end of last season and, unfortunately, that?s reflected on the competition table. It?ll be interesting to see what Marconi does in the off season to try and restore their status as title candidates. Meanwhile, this Sunday, The Stallions will be looking to bring a touch of misery to The Koalas!
Despite their relative positions on the table I suspect that this match will be a tight one. The Koalas will now be looking nervously over their shoulders at Sydney University. Marconi have nothing to lose.
This weekend offers a great opportunity to get out and support your favourite team. Be at the ground and be part of the action in the Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League. Good luck to all the teams this weekend.
-By Ross Anderson