Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League Round 17 Preview

The coaches of the competition?s leading teams will now be hoping to get through the final rounds with their squads injury free. They?ll also be looking to carry their momentum into the finals series with some positive performances.
In beautiful but chilly Bathurst the Western NSW Panthers will meet Inter Lions.
The Panthers final hopes were dashed by their 2-2 draw with Manly United FC last Sunday. However, the Panthers girls can take solace from the fact that they?ve competed in fine style during their debut season in the Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League. They?ve always been tough to beat in their home town and I?m sure that Inter Lions will be expecting a tough encounter come Sunday. The Panthers have found plenty of heroes this season; one being consistent goalscorer Megan Embleton. Inter Lions will do well to keep an eye on Megan come Sunday.
Inter Lions pulled out a super effort last weekend to upend the unbeaten record of the Illawarra Stingrays. A wonderful strike by Tash Loguidice and a piece of Catherine Cannuli brilliance were enough to see The Lions score their biggest win of the season. The signs have been there in recent weeks that the Inter girls may finally be playing to their potential. If that?s the case a few of their prospective finals opponents will be shaking in their boots. The move of the experienced Jodie Bain into midfield has been a master stroke that seems to have Inter flying. The visitors will be keen to continue their good form leading into the finals.
I have to go for Inter Lions here though I expect that Western NSW Panthers will give them a run for their money.
At ELS Hall Park the NWS Koalas take on Manly United FC.
Both sides come into this match after draws in Round 16; The Koalas to bottom placed Sutherland Sharks, Manly United FC to Western NSW Panthers.
The Koalas will have been disappointed to leave Harrie Dening Centre with only one point last Sunday. Given their improved results during the second round of the competition they would have expected nothing less than a win. Things get tougher this week against a side who gave them a fairly comprehensive mauling in their first round clash. NWS look a more formidable opponent this time around but they?ll need to have all their players firing on all cylinders if they hope to get a result here.
Manly United FC will not be happy to have left Bathurst last Sunday without all three premiership points. A penalty caused by an awkward bounce off the Alec Lamberton Field surface left Manly with a most unhappy Captain. This week there are reports that Manly will lose some players for the rest of the season due to pre season commitments with the Central Coast Mariners W League side. If that?s the case it will certainly cloud Manly?s title hopes. Manly has been one of the best sides in the league during 2010. You can be sure they?ll be hard to beat come the finals.
Whatever the make up of their side I think Manly will get the points here.
At the Harrie Dening Centre the Sutherland Sharks do battle with the Marconi Stallions.
The Sharks deserve credit for a more committed performance last Sunday; snaring a goalless draw with NWS Koalas. The competition point they took from the game gives them the opportunity to offload the wooden spoon and this weekend may be their best opportunity for a win. Sutherland hasn?t had the best of seasons so it would be a little ironic if they were able to put together a couple of their better efforts when the season is all but over. That said good luck to the girls if they can find the motivation to get some long awaited results.
Marconi Stallions have fielded a somewhat line up in recent weeks due to a variety of factors. Their losing streak is reaching epic proportions but that gives a poor reflection of the promise the side has shown at various times during the season. Confidence seems to be at a low ebb right now in the Marconi camp and even Sutherland?s lowly position on the competition table wouldn?t be enough to have Marconi approaching this game in a positive frame of mind.
I suspect, given all the circumstances outlined above, that this will be a close game. I?ll put my money on a draw.
Southern Branch gets a chance to show off their rejuvenated style with a match against Sydney University at South Nowra Football Complex.
Southern Branch, who seemed to be the easy beats of the Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League for so long this season, now seem to be the side that makes life difficult for anyone who visits their South Nowra stronghold. Two excellent performances in the last fortnight against Inter Lions and Macarthur Rams have shown just how far Coach Shane Duffy and his gutsy girls have turned their season around. Sunday certainly won?t be any easier for the Southern girls given Sydney University?s own improvement during round two of the competition but who is to say that anything is beyond Southern at the moment?
Sydney University, for mine, is the most improved sides in the Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League. Unfortunately they?ve found their rhythm a little too late to get themselves into finals contention but, if they can retain their present squad in 2011; they may surprise a few people. There have been plenty of contributors to the team?s turnaround with former Young Matilda Olivia Kennedy playing some excellent football along with perennial goalscorer Kate Trebilcock. Yes, Kate?s become a favorite of your pundit; if only because she scores a goal every time I mention her name in my preview!
As I?ve mentioned in the last two weeks; I expect Southern Branch to give a spirited account of themselves but I can?t go past Sydney University as likely winners.
Finally, at J.J.Kelly Park, the Illawarra Stingrays and Macarthur Rams clash in a replay of the 2009 Grand Final. I?m sure that The Rams will be keen to see a different result though this time around!
Illawarra?s dream of a perfect season met rocky ground last weekend when they were upset by Inter Lions. Having got so used to success I don?t doubt that The Stingrays will be primed to bounce back this week with a big performance. Illawarra dominated at various stages last Sunday but failed to take full toll of their scoring opportunities. Coach Brett Wallin will have had his girls working hard this week in preparation for another tough match against one of Illawarra?s keenest rivals.
Macarthur Rams sit third on the ladder but, as funny as it sounds; seem to have flown under the radar of most experts this season. The Rams have shown the occasional glimpse of their best form during the season but haven?t hit the dizzy heights of their last three premiership campaigns. Can they? Well, I?d presume that Sunday?s match against the competition leaders might answer that question for us. The Rams will be hoping that the likes of Stephanie Haim and Linda Dudek can add to their season?s goal tally to give them some early momentum.
The Stingrays will be stung, pardon the pun, by last week?s loss. I expect them to come out with a point to prove on Sunday. I tip The Stingrays to win.
Your opportunities to catch the action from the Arrive Alive Women?s Premier League are starting to dwindle. Only two more games in the competition proper before the finals get underway. Get out to your local ground to see the stars play football this weekend.
See you at a ground this Sunday.
– Ross Anderson