Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League Semi Final Preview

The league?s top four teams, Illawarra Stingrays, Macarthur Rams, Manly United FC and NWS Koalas have had some exciting tussles in recent weeks; tussles that have promised plenty of nail biting tension once they met to decide the title of Champions.
Whilst the Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League Premiers, Illawarra Stingrays, may be considered favourites to take out the Grand Final there?ll be no easy games. The Macarthur Rams will be keen to retain their mantle as the number one team. The Manly United FC and NWS Koalas sides have been in excellent form leading up to the finals and look capable of springing a big upset. Unfortunately, one of those sides will be gone after week one when they meet in the minor semi final.
That minor semi final takes place on Saturday afternoon at Cromer Park with a 4pm kick off. NWS Koalas and Manly United have met three times this season. Manly won two of those games but The Koalas won their most recent clash, in Round 18, by a score of 1-0. Both sides have a blend of exciting young players and seasoned campaigners; the latter being a vital commodity in a big match like this. I?ve seen some excellent football from these two teams during the season so I suspect that this will be a game for the purists.
Manly United FC finished third on the ladder, three points adrift of second placed Macarthur Rams and ten points ahead of The Koalas. The girls from the peninsula have scored two significant wins in recent weeks; those being a 5-0 hammering of the defending champions, Macarthur, followed by a 2-1 win at J.J.Kelly Park over the premiers, Illawarra Stingrays. That reads like pretty solid form coming into the finals.
With Caitlan Jarvie in fine form in front of goal along with her strike partner Liz Morrison, the Manly side have a dangerous look about them. The experienced Gill Foster will be an important component in the Manly game plan as Coach Larry Bates looks to the former Matilda and W League star to guide the talented Manly youngsters around the park.
The Koalas have also collected some big scalps in the last few weeks. They too have beaten The Rams hoodoo; a 4-2 win at ELS Hall Park a fortnight ago being the first time they?d defeated the Macarthur side in three seasons. Add that to their win over Manly United FC and it?s easy to see why The Koalas won?t be a push over during the finals series.
These important wins have highlighted the skills of promising young players like Carlie Ikonomou, Georgina Stylianos, Evelyn Chronis, Stephanie Ascone and Tash Loguidice. Loguidice?s long throw ins have been a talking point out of the latest Koalas games but this girl has more to her arsenal than just the ability to throw the ball 20 meters. Ikonomou has been one of The Koalas best all season and looms as a major player for her team in the next few weeks.
This should be one hell of a game. Tipping in the finals is fraught with danger and this game is a real toss up. However, I?m going to stick my neck out and go for a narrow Koalas win.
At J.J.Kelly Park on Sunday the Illawarra Stingrays will play host to Macarthur Rams in the major semi final, which also kicks off at 4pm.
The Stingrays hold a 2-1 advantage over The Stingrays in games played between the two sides this season. In Rounds 1 and 15 The Stingrays got home 1-0 over their arch rivals. Sandwiched in between those two wins though was The Rams 4-0 demolition of Illawarra in Round 8. The worrying thing for Macarthur is that their recent form depicts them as vulnerable; not a word usually associated with the team that?s going for its third consecutive title.
The Stingrays bounced back into the Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League this season after winning the Club Championship in the Arrive Alive Women?s Super League in 2008. Whilst retaining the stars of last season?s success The Stingrays have added a bevy of talent this season, aiming their side a formidable opponent. Michelle Heyman and Ash Connor make a lethal strikeforce but there are a host of Stingrays players who offer plenty of danger in attack. When they?re at their best the Illawarra side is a ?pretty? football team to watch. Will they find their best on Sunday?
The Macarthur Rams intimidation factor has always been a major asset for the side; almost as much as their footballing talent. Other teams seemed to expect to lose to The Rams but that aura appears to have faded in recent weeks. With the likely absence of chief play maker Kylie Ledbrook from Sunday?s game The Rams will need to lift in their to have a chance of defending their title. With players like Stephanie Haim, Renee Cartwright, Sigrid Manty and Lind Dudek Macarthur still have plenty of match winners. The Stingrays would be best advised not to underestimate the girls from Campbelltown.
This will be another crackerjack game. The loss of Ledbrook is a big blow to Macarthur?s chances but it?s not a death knell. The Stingrays haven?t been seen at their top for some weeks and they?ll need to lift a gear now we?ve reached the big matches. Rams Coach Matt Turvey has offered me a large amount of money to stay way from this match; I?ve seen The Rams play three times this season and they?ve lost each time! Whilst I will be at J.J.Kelly Park on Sunday I?ll assist Matt in another way; by tipping The Stingrays to come out as winners. Given my tipping record this season that should almost assure The Rams of victory!
So, there we have it; two tremendous games of football, which should showcase the talent that abounds in the Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League. Get out to a ground this weekend and support you team. Take Dad down to Wollongong on Sunday for Father?s Day so that he can see the major semi final. What a great day out for the football loving Dad!
Good luck to all four finalists in the Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League this weekend.
-By Ross Anderson