Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League Round 14 Preview

There are some excellent matches on offer as some of the leading contenders face tough matches. With just four rounds remaining until the finals after this weekend there?s plenty to play for.
In Bathurst the Western NSW Panthers put their finals hopes on the line when they do battle with Marconi Stallions.
The Panthers are two points outside the top four; chasing Inter Lions who have a game in hand. They still have a game against Inter in Bathurst in a few weeks time so they must keep winning in the hope they can sneak into the finals. Their recent form had been patchy but The Panthers got themselves a result last Sunday when they knocked over the NWS Koalas. A Megan Embleton goal steered them home last week; a statistic that Panthers fans have got used to seeing this season. Western are always a tough side to beat at home and they will be determined to give a top effort against The Stallions.
The gloss has gone off Marconi a little in recent weeks as they?ve struggled to achieve find their best from. Successive losses to Inter Lions, Macarthur Rams, Southern Branch and Illawarra Stingrays have seen them drop off the pace considerably. Those feint finals hopes have now gone out the window but there?s still a chance for this talented bunch of young ladies to finish their season with a flourish. Maybe Coach Rob Pearce should take the girls on an all expenses paid trip to Bathurst for the weekend to revitalize his team? I enjoy watching this team play and still think they?re a team with heaps of potential.
The Panthers have much more to play for than The Stallions. Whether that will swing things in their favor when it comes to the crunch on Sunday is anyone?s guess. Marconi are looking flat but they have the ability to win this one. I?ll sit on the fence and go for the draw.
Inter Lions meet Macarthur Rams at Concord oval in what should be a top drawer encounter.
The Lions have shown signs of things coming together in recent weeks. Last Sunday they encountered a determined Sydney University side and were forced to share the points after a 1-1 draw. Looking at the Inter Lions squad on paper you?d be hard pressed to find a side in the Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League with such a depth of talent across the park. On their day this side is one that?s capable of playing for title honors but many are yet to be convinced that they have what it takes to challenge. A game like this one on Sunday is a perfect platform from which to silence the doubters.
Macarthur Rams hopes of a top two finish took a blow last weekend when they couldn?t get over the consistent Manly United FC side. The Rams have been moving along quietly in the background; maintaining their spot in the top four and going about their business in a tradeperson like manner. They have a reliable squad that?s more than capable but they may just lack that X factor that would take them all the way this season. Linda Dudek, Renee Cartwright, Laura Donnelly and Claire Walsh have been consistent performers for The Rams this season but Macarthur really needs to find an extra notch in the run for the finals.
Macarthur Rams won the first round clash between these two sides but there wasn?t a lot in that match. I can see some good reasons why both sides can win so I?m going to sit on the fence and tip a draw.
At Cromer Park second placed Manly United FC meet a Southern Branch outfit who are chasing a hat trick of wins.
Manly?s stumble lasted one week against Inter Lions before they rebounded to take the points from Macarthur Rams last Sunday. They?ve had a very solid season so far and must rank as one of the leading title aspirants as we make the run into the finals. Manly have plenty of firepower, despite the loss of one or two players to the World Cup spectator contingent, and they present danger on many fronts; especially to a team that?s been leaking goals all season. Their premiership hopes may be hanging by a thread right now but Manly will want to keep winning in the hope that Illawarra slip up somewhere along the line.
Southern Branch has found their nirvana in the last fortnight with two impressive wins and a host of season firsts. Now, things get just a little bit tougher for the girls from Nowra as they take on one of the Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League ?big guns?. The return of Katie French and Louise Lloyd Jones has added a much needed touch of experience to Southern?s young squad with the girls responding superbly in the last two weeks. You never know what can happen when you start believing in yourself but this weekend presents a huge challenge.
I can?t see Manly losing but my heart hopes that Southern Branch keeps up the good work.
NWS Koalas play host to Sydney University at ELS Hall Park.
The Koalas sit eighth on the ladder but have produced some results which have belied that lowly ranking in recent weeks. This was so much so that they ventured to Bathurst last weekend as nominal favorites to beat the Western NSW Panthers. They came away with a narrow loss but they can improve this weekend at home. They have suffered from the loss of some of their side?s more potent attacking weapons this season but there?s still enough talent in the squad to cause unease in most opponents. They?ll be looking to grab Sydney University?s scalp on Sunday.
Sydney University came up with a typically fighting effort to share the points with Inter Lions last weekend at Sydney University Oval. Prior to that University had knocked over the Western NSW Panthers with another determined performance. It?s sad to see things come together so late for this side; mathematically they could sneak into fourth spot but the stars would have to align perfectly for that to occur. Kate Trebilcock continues to do a fine job in front of goal for her side and another strike from the makeshift striker may be enough to see her side home here.
I?ve been impressed with Sydney University since their renaissance win over Marconi Stallions some weeks back. I think they can win again on Sunday.
Finally, at Harrie Dening Centre, the Sutherland Sharks play competition leaders the Illawarra Stingrays.
What can I say about The Sharks? Last Sunday was a big match for the Shire girls as they attempted to avert the wooden spoon which Southern Branch had suddenly decided to offload. However, they couldn?t come up with the goods on the day, plummeting to another disappointing defeat. Sutherland can?t buy a goal at the moment and Coach Michael Michael must be seriously considering blooding some of his club?s youngsters in the final few weeks of competition. Have the Sharks got the spirit to lift themselves off the bottom of the ladder in the final four weeks of competition?
The Stingrays don?t appear to have too many problems right now. They may be missing some players to injury and overseas travel commitments but they have so much depth that it?s hardly been noticeable. They?ve seen off the Marconi Stallions and NWS Koalas in recent weeks, despite the absence of their talisman Captain Michelle Carney. There are so many options for Coach Brett Wallin who must count his lucky stars that he has so much talent to work with. These are the champions and it will take a damn good side to take the title from them.
Illawarra Stingrays will win this one comfortably.
There are plenty of teams in the Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League worth watching. There are a host of talented players worth seeing in action. The television screen isn?t the only place to see good football. Get out to your local ground this weekend and see the state?s best show you just how good women can play the world game.
See you at the ground this weekend.
-By Ross Anderson