Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League Round 19 Preview

Mathematically the top two places on the ladder could change hands but it appears most unlikely. It?ll be interesting to see what momentum the top four take into the finals series and whether or not those outside the finals can spring some late season upsets.
At Cook Park the Penrith Nepean United side take on NWS Koalas.
Penrith Nepean put up a creditable performance against Macarthur Rams last week. Their form against Sydney University the week prior was excellent. There?s not much left for the girls to play for, other than a fair slice of pride, but they won?t let the three points on offer leave Cook Park without a fight.
The NWS Koalas have been red hot in recent weeks. After a narrow loss to the competition leaders, Illawarra Stingrays, The Koalas have scored strong wins over Marconi Stallions and Manly United FC. The latter effort could be seen as season defining with the NWS girls showing they?re not in the finals on sufferance. It would seem unlikely that Claude De Francesco?s side would stumble now when they are really starting to blossom.
The Koalas would appear to have the edge here. They are hitting form at the right time of the year which doesn?t go well for the Penrith girls.
At Cromer Park it?s the battle of the surfboards as Manly?s girls go to battle with the Shire girls from Sutherland.
What happened to Manly last weekend? Coming of their best performance of the season in defeating Macarthur Rams the girls were upended by a determined NWS Koalas outfit. The chance of snatching second place from The Rams may now be out the window but I expect Manly to regroup this week as they run towards the finals. Their attacking weapons will put the Sutherland defence under plenty of pressure.
Sutherland Sharks don?t have an easy run in their final three matches of the 2009 season. Apart from this match against Manly they also meet Macarthur Rams in the final round. Sandwiched between those games is a battle of the cellar dwellers with Penrith Nepean United. Sutherland have lifted their game quite considerably in the last month but one wonders if they can raise the bar far enough to compete with this manly side.
I?d love to see The Sharks give Manly a run for their money but the locals have impressed me this season. They look too strong for The Sharks on Sunday.
The Marconi Stallions play host to the high flying Illawarra Stingrays at Marconi Stadium.
The Stallions returned to the winner?s list last week with a good win over Sutherland at Harrie Dening Centre. With some of their young up and comers moving to the fore The Stallions took control after half time and proved too strong for The Sharks. This week represents a significant step up in class for the girls from Bossley Park. An upset win would certainly take a little sting from a miserable season but are The Stallions up to it?
The Stingrays are within touching distance of that coveted Premiership. They haven?t been overly impressive in recent weeks but, nonetheless, they?ve continued to find a way to win. That?s the sign of a good side and this Illawarra side is obviously just that. We?ve talked about their talent laden squad all season; they?d now be looking to rev up that Ferrari engine as they move towards the finals. Can we see The Stingrays hit top gear in the next few weeks?
The Stingrays are looming as the side to beat for the Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League title. When they?re at their best they?re a great football team to watch. They look to have too many big guns for The Stallions to handle.
Sydney University meet Macarthur Rams at Sydney University Oval on Sunday.
It will be interesting to see how the University side finish off the season. They?d been in finals reckoning for the major part of this season but the wheels have fallen off their challenge in recent weeks. Three losses in four weeks brought plenty of heartbreak as they watched NWS Koalas find a splash of form which has secured them fourth place. A match up with the defending premiers is hardly an ideal situation for a team that?s battling but University will have to dig deep and prove their mettle here.
The Rams seemed invincible up until a few weeks ago but losses to Illawarra Stingrays and Manly United FC have given them a more vulnerable look. A few miracle results would need to occur to resurrect Macarthur?s Minor Premiership hopes but, regardless of that, The Rams will want to go into the finals with a string of solid performances behind them. In Kylie Ledbrook, they possess probably the best player in the league. With Ledbrook pulling the strings the other talented players around her have plenty of chance to shine. Can Sydney University find a way to stop her?
The Rams are still the queens of the Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League until someone takes their crown. They won?t give it up without one hell of a struggle. Sydney University will need to find their best form to stretch Macarthur on Sunday.
The final four may look done and dusted but that doesn?t mean that we?re not in for some great football in the remaining rounds of the Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League. This weekend would be an ideal one for grabbing some rays whilst watching the best female footballers in the state.
Good luck to all the teams this weekend.
-By Ross Anderson