Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League Round 21 Preview

It was only a few months ago that the competition kicked off for 2009 and now, here we are, at the end of the competition rounds. Four of our Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League sides will bid us farewell this weekend as the competition moves into the semi final stage. The four sides contesting the finals will now settle down to battle it out for the title of Champions.
After last weekend?s exciting top four encounters this week it?s the top four versus the bottom four to round out the season. Are we likely to se any upsets or will the leading teams keep their momentum as they move into the big end of season games?
At Cook Park Penrith Nepean United meet the Premiers, Illawarra Stingrays.
The Penrith girls have put in some wholehearted efforts in recent weeks. It will be good for the youngsters in the team to leave the 2009 season behind with some positive memories. Consecutive draws with NWS Koalas and Sutherland Sharks show that the Penrith side are on the right track. The Stingrays though would appear to be a formidable final opponent for the locals. Rebuilding now starts for season 2010; Penrith have some promising talent in their squad. There?s a foundation to build on if the club can keep the side together.
Illawarra Stingrays finally wrapped up the premiership last week, though not exactly in the manner they?d have liked. Their narrow defeat to Manly United FC will probably serve as a wake up call as The Stingrays head into the first week of the playoffs. Coach Brett Wallin has a few minor injury worries amongst his squad and is likely to take the opportunity to rest a couple of players prior to next weekend?s major semi final. With two players also sitting on four yellow cards coming into this match Wallin will err on the side of caution in giving those players the weekend off. It?s certainly a chance for some of the younger players to strut their stuff in first grade.
Penrith will put in a good account of themselves but Illawarra, even with the rumoured changes to their starting line up, are likely to be too strong.
At Lynwood Park the Macarthur Rams will be keen to get their title hopes back on an even keel when they meet Sutherland Sharks.
The Rams are in unfamiliar territory having fallen to four defeats this season. Teams they have a history of dominating have suddenly found a way to turn the tide against The Rams. Their usual sick passing game seems to have eluded Macarthur in recent weeks, causing a worried look on the face of Coach, Matt Turvey.  If the girls from Campbelltown are to achieve the historic ?three peat? they?ll need to find their form quickly. The Sharks would normally look to be easy pickings for The Rams but is there a seed of doubt entering Macarthur?s thinking?
Sutherland?s improved performances have been pleasing to see; not for the least their Coach Michael Michael. Being left holding the wooden spoon is not the best of outcomes for The Sharks, who have struggled most of the season. Playing the defending premiers in your final match of 2009 is not the easiest of tasks but its one Sutherland is stuck with. Hopefully they can lift and give their supporters a memorable result on which to end their season.
I can?t conceive that The Rams will be in anything but a lethal mood on Sunday. A big win is needed to restore confidence before the finals. Sutherland will need to be on their game to avoid a difficult afternoon.
Manly United FC host Marconi Stallions at the Sydney Academy of Sport.
Manly come into this game after a great win last weekend over Illawarra Stingrays. The Manly side have built up some valuable momentum before their semi final next week; they still have an outside chance of finishing second on the ladder. Wherever they end up they?ll be looking at some fierce competition; either a match against the NWS Koalas who beat them two weeks ago or an Illawarra Stingrays side looking for revenge after last weekend?s loss. Manly will be keen to fine tune their game with a strong performance against The Stallions.
Marconi have had a very disappointing season. They?ve struggled to put together a challenge at any stage of the season. Yes, they?ve had some credible performances here and there but nothing like what would normally be expected from this proud club. It would be hard to see The Stallions being able to find the form to get past Manly United in this game. I?d say that Marconi are looking towards redemption in 2010.
Manly United FC should win this one and head into the finals in the midst of a winning run.
In the final game for preview Sydney University host NWS Koalas at Sydney University Oval.
A few weeks back this looked like being a crucial match for deciding the last of our semi finalists. In that time Sydney University have fallen off the pace whilst The Koalas have found a purple patch of form.
The Koalas turned in their best effort of 2009 last week in a stunning 4-2 win over Macarthur Rams. The enthusiastic Koalas side, buoyed by the inclusion of a number of young stars on the rise, must move into the finals next weekend thinking that they have a reasonable shot at the title. Wins over Manly United FC and Macarthur in recent weeks show that The Koalas have the game to make a big impression in the newt few weeks. Tash Loguidice?s throw ins alone will be worth the price of admission!
Sydney University have had an unfortunate climax to their season. After being in the finals race all year they?ve dropped right away in the last month. What?s upset the apple cart is hard to say but the University girls appear to be playing with a lack of confidence. It?s sad to see them drop out of contention so quickly as they did appear to be a side with something to offer. Maybe next season will see a resurgence?
The Koalas must start favourites in this game. They were dynamic last Sunday and will be keen to carry this fine vein of form deep into the finals series.
Congratulations to all the teams in the Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League on anther exciting season. The opening weekend of finals action next week promises to be a beauty with in form teams and the star players of the league ready to go to war for the title of Champions.
Good luck to all the teams this weekend.  
-By Ross Anderson