Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League Preliminary Final Preview

The Rams chances of achieving a ?three peat? of titles will be sorely tested by a Manly United side that seem to have hit form at just the right part of the season. Last weekend?s semi final results saw Manly United defeat NWS Koalas in sizzling style; putting six goals past the NWS girls in a dominant second half display. The Rams were out played by the Illawarra Stingrays for the majority of the match but took the Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League Premiers right to the wire, losing 3-2 after extra time.
The Rams had held a three season hoodoo over Manly United until their most recent clash at Cromer Park where the Manly girls carved out a 5-0 thrashing of the defending champions. That result must give the visitors plenty of heart for Sunday?s clash as Coach Larry Bates attempts to plot a finals victory for his side.
Both sides have in form goal scorers; Manly Caitlan Jarvie bagged another brace in last week?s semi final, a feat matched by Macarthur?s 2008 Platinum Medal winner Stephanie Haim in The Rams loss to Illawarra on Sunday. If these two players are given any opportunities in front of goal on the weekend it could prove fatal for their respective opposition.
Macarthur will welcome back their star midfielder Kylie Ledbrook, who was missing from last weekend?s line up due to work commitments. Everyone seems keen to prove that there?s life in the Macarthur team without Ledbrook but, when you lose arguably the best player in the league for a semi final, it must have an effect on the team?s performance. The Rams will certainly be looking to the W League star to ignite their title challenge come Sunday.
Manly?s own W League star, Gill Foster, is also an important piece of the puzzle for her side. Foster?s experience inspires confidence in the younger Manly players. Having played at the highest level Foster knows her way around the park and will be keen to put on a master class against Macarthur. Her battle with Kylie Ledbrook could have a defining influence on the fate of this match.   
Manly?s recent efforts have certainly that the Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League is far from a two horse race. They?ve beaten both Illawarra Stingrays and Macarthur Rams in their most recent matches; a fact that must give the side enormous confidence as they face the penultimate game of the season. The team?s inconsistency of recent seasons seems to have been tempered and the Manly girls have really put it together in 2009.
The Rams have had a year that hasn?t quite met their usual lofty standards. That may seem a tough call considering Macarthur finished second on the competition table but they appear to have lost some of their intimidating aura. Whether or not this is due to the loss of the imposing Danielle Brogan or a result of other sides stepping up in 2009 The Rams don?t seem to put the fear into opposing sides that they once did. However, they are still a damn good football team that should never be underestimated.
This promises to be a super game of football. The two teams are full of exciting players. The capability of the two sides to play free flowing attacking football has been proven in their performances this season. I don?t think either side will die wondering on Sunday.
Now I know that everyone out there is waiting to see who I tip in this game; if only so you can all put your money on the other team! But, I?m taking the coward?s way out this weekend. Yes, I know that I can hardly tip a draw in a preliminary final but there doesn?t appear to be much between these two teams. I think I?ll just enjoy the game and congratulate the winners.
In other Preliminary Finals on Sunday the Sutherland Sharks play NWS Koalas in the Under 12?s (kick off at 9am). The Under 14?s Final sees Marconi Stallions in battle with the Sutherland Sharks (kick off at 10.20am), whilst the Under 16?s has NWS Koalas playing Sydney University (kick off at 11.45am).
The Reserve Grade Final is a clash between Illawarra Stingrays and Sydney University (kick off at 1.30pm).
Get yourself out to Lynwood Park on Sunday and support your team in the race to the Grand Final
-By Ross Anderson