Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League Grand Final Preview

The pride of Wollongong; the Illawarra Stingrays, meet the defending champions the Macarthur Rams in what should be an absorbing title decider.
The two sides finished one/two on the competition ladder and, for major periods of the season looked the nominal Grand Final contestants.
The Illawarra v Macarthur matches this season have generally been close encounters with three of their four meetings being decided by a solitary goal.
The Stingrays have held the edge though having won three of these matches, the most recent being the major semi final 3-2. The one blow out result between the sides came in Round 8 when The Rams scored a comprehensive 4-0 win at J.J.Kelly Park. The Rams will be hoping to create a similar dominance on Sunday afternoon.
The Grand Final combatants boast talented squads with plenty of W-League stars on both team lists. Illawarra have gained some valuable additions to their 2008 Arrive Alive Women?s Super League winning team with players like Ash Connor, Trudy Camilleri and Sam Spackman complimenting the existing stars in the Illawarra line up.
The Rams haven?t added a host of new names; they probably didn?t need to considering their dominance of the league over the last few seasons. The loss of Danielle Brogan was obviously noticed but Macarthur?s defensive line has continued to be miserly through the 2009 season.
The established players aren?t the only ones to watch though as the two sides boast a number of up and coming stars; players like Talitha Kramer and Anne Mayo of The Stingrays and Laura Donnelly of The Rams. These girls won?t be there as on field spectators on Sunday; they?ll each play important roles in their respective teams? charge for the title.
Much of what Macarthur have to offer tends to revolve around the brilliance of their midfield star, Kylie Ledbrook. The Sydney FC star is the engine to the Macarthur Ferrari. Ledbrook?s deft passing, her attacking runs from midfield and her physical presence spell danger for any opposing side that allows her to take control of the game. She was missing from the major semi final; will her return be the difference on Grand Final Day?
Stephanie Haim and Renee Cartwright have also been in fine form for The Rams, with both getting their names on the scoresheet last weekend. Haim has been scoring some spectacular goals in recent weeks. When Haim finds her range she?s deadly and she appears to have found form at the right time. Cartwright?s game has been that steadying influence that Macarthur needs. Her combination with Ledbrook in the middle of the park will be important.
 Linda Dudek has also been very impressive for Macarthur this year. The young striker is developing a fine combination with Haim at the attacking end of the Macarthur machine. She showed plenty of class in setting up Cartwright for the opening goal in last weekend?s final against Manly United FC at Lynwood Park.
Similarly Sigrid Manty has had a fine season for Macarthur and her attacking raids down the flank will be a major part of Macarthur?s attacking arsenal come Sunday.
The Illawarra Stingrays have had a spectacular season. Having already snared the title of Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League Premiers they?re now out to add the Grand Final Champions status to their list of achievements.
They present options across the park, whether it is the youthful exuberance of Kramer and Mayo on the flanks, the canny midfield prowess of Carney and Camilleri or the tough, no nonsense approach of Heyman and Connor at the front. And, as the man with the steak knives says, ?that?s not all?. Cooper, Spackman, Kerrigan and Cunningham are all players who?ll play a part in creating a winning mindset on Grand Final Day.
This is a super side that, when they play to their potential, leave the opposition grasping for straws. Coach Brett Wallin will be hoping that his girls are ready for a five star performance on Sunday.
The height and physical dominance of Heyman and Connor caused problems for Macarthur in the semi final, especially from set pieces.
The Stingrays will be out to play on any uncertainty the two tall strikers can create in the Macarthur defence. Yes, Heyman is a player I confess to being a big fan of and she?s capable of leading The Stingrays to victory if she?s given any room to move.
The Stingrays will not want to allow Macarthur to gain any momentum. The inspiration of the three peat The Rams are chasing could become a powerful tool to their side if they can strike first. The Rams still hold a firm belief that they are the best team in the Arrive Alive Women?s Premier league and they won?t be giving up their title without one hell of a battle.
The semi final a fortnight ago seemed to be a match that swung on one moment.
The opening thirty minutes had been very tight. Macarthur had started strongly against an Illawarra side that looked a little nervous.
Despite conceding first The Rams were seemingly gaining momentum when a controversial second goal was scored by Illawarra?s Michelle Heyman. From their Macarthur dropped off and The Stingrays controlled the match. The Rams, frankly, were reprieved by a late penalty to Stephanie Haim that took the game into extra time.
Macarthur can?t afford to allow Illawarra to get into a rhythm. Once The Stingrays found that rhythm in the semi final they hummed. Macarthur?s specialty is that short, crisp passing game that puts opponents on the back foot. They need to find it on Sunday if they?re to turn back this new challenge to their title reign.
It?s been a while since I?ve looked forward to a football match as much as I?m looking forward to this one on Sunday.
Potentially this could be a magnificent finale to a wonderful season with two sides capable of exciting football. Will they play it tight and look for each other to make the errors or will the two teams go chasing victory?
As a football lover I guess I?m hoping for the latter but I suspect that the two coaches will look for their teams to settle and see how the game pans out. The players on show have the ability to serve us up a feast of football.
In other Grand Finals to be contested on Sunday at Balls Paddock, in the Under 12?s Manly United FC take on NWS Koalas.
 In the Under 14?s NWS Koalas meet Marconi Stallions.
The Under 16?s Grand Final sees Marconi Stallions clash with Sydney University whilst the Reserve Grade Grand Final is between Manly United FC and Illawarra Stingrays.
Good luck to all these sides in their search for Grand Final success.
Whatever the outcome the 2009 Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League competition has been an exciting one to be a part of.
Thank you to all the teams in the league for their efforts this season.
Good luck to the Illawarra Stingrays and the Macarthur Rams on Sunday.
The following games will be played on the day with a number of cracking encounters set to take place down the South Coast.
Grade 12 ? 8.45am
Manly United v NWS Koalas
Grade 14 ? 10am
NWS Koalas v Marconi Stallions
Grade 16 ? 11.30am
Marconi Stallions v Sydney University
Reserve Grade ? 1.15pm 
Manly United v Illawarra Stingrays
First Grade ? 3.45pm
Illawarra Stingrays v Macarthur Rams
All matches played at Balls Paddock, Woonona
-By Ross Anderson