Arrive Alive Women?s Super League Round 18 Preview

For five of our nine teams this weekend will mark the last time they pull on the boots and shin pads in 2010. Some will depart disappointed with what the season offered; others will be happy that they?ve made strides forward this year.
For the four teams who are about to participate in the finals series anew season within a season begins as each strive to take the title of champions. Blacktown will enter the series as premiers and nominal favorites to take ?the double?. However, this year?s competition has been so competitive that anything could happen.
Eastern UNSW Lions host Central Coast Lightning at David Phillips Field.
This game certainly has a bearing on the semi final make up as Central Coast are currently involved in a battle for second place with Gladesville Ravens. The Lightning girls know that a win will ensure them of the coveted top two spot and are sure to come out with all guns blazing. Central Coast has won their last four in a row, having found form in the run to the finals. There are still plenty of experts who feel that the Lightning girls have what it takes to win the Grand Final.
Eastern UNSW Lions had their feet up enjoying the bye last Sunday. If they had time to reflect I think they?d be pleased with their debit season in the Arrive Alive Women?s Super League though, with a bit of luck, things could have been so much better. The Lions have proven to be a competitive side that has stretched the necks of more than one title contender this season. Three wins, five draws and a reasonable goal difference give good statistics to Eastern UNSW in 2010.
Dare I say it but this has the potential to be a banana skin game for Central Coast Lightning. Whilst Eastern UNSW Lions aren?t in the top half on the competition ladder they do know how to grind out a game. Even a draw is potentially dangerous for the Central Coast side but I think they will be ready to win.
At Magdala Park we have another important match up when Gladesville Ravens meet Blacktown Spartans.
With The Ravens still hopeful of stealing second place from Central Coast Lightning a win is vital for the Ravens girls in this one. Their form in recent weeks has shown sparks of brilliance coupled with moments of normality. When the Gladesville girls get fired up they can match it with anyone but they?ll need to keep the enthusiasm swelling for ninety minutes at a time now that the finals are around the corner. There?s plenty of talent all over the park so the Ravens are capable of not only ending the season proper with a big win but also carrying that form into the finals.
Blacktown Spartans have deserved every plaudit they?ve received this season. They?ve played consistent football: sometimes producing an exciting brand of play which shows off all their strengths but at other times battling to a result when things haven?t quite clicked. I see that as the sign of a superior football team. The Spartans must enter the finals with plenty of confidence and a match with one of their main finals opponents might not be a bad way to end the competition rounds.
This should be a very entertaining affair. The Ravens have a little more to play for though I?m sure that Blacktown would like to go through the competition undefeated. The first round clash saw little between the two sides so I?m taking the coward?s way out by tipping a draw.
At St George Stadium St George FC meet Lady Hawks.
What can I say about St George FC?s 2010 season? It started with some promise but deflated all too quickly. Injuries, a lack of experience, a lost Captain; it seems like the gods conspired to ensure a season of disappointment for all concerned. Nobody could blame the St George girls for celebrating wildly at the blast of the final whistle. All the St George girls have to play for on Sunday is pride. I?m sure they?ll give it their best shot.
Theoretically the Lady Hawks are still in with an outside hope of making the finals. To complete their part in the unlikely equation they need a big win in this match. Gladesville were in the same boat last week and could only find the net three times against St George; can Lady Hawks make a better fist of things? The girls have certainly finished off the season strongly; a couple of better results earlier in the year may well have seen then preparing for finals football next week.
I?m tipping Lady Hawks to win.
At Summerhayes Park Springwood United FC meet APIA Leichhardt Tigers.
The last time these two sides met we almost had the upset of the season on our hands. Going into the sheds at half time that day, Springwood held a 2-0 lead over the Tigers and looked capable of recording their first win of 2010. That day the individual talents of Natalie Spirovski saved APIA from blushes as she reeled off a second half hat trick to lead her side to victory. Springwood need to keep the positive parts of that performance in their minds when they take the field on Sunday. Their debut season has not been an easy one but the Springwood girls would relish their first win of the year relegating APIA to the list of the season?s also rans.
APIA have promised so much but delivered too little. My column has often spoken about the football talent the side has at it?s disposal but there have been very few times this season when we?ve seen that talent produced to it?s true potential. One would hope that, given the experience of some of the players in the side, APIA may lift to another level now that the season?s big games are at hand. Last week?s disappointing effort against Lady Hawks won?t instill a lot of confidence but surely APIA can cement their spot in the finals with a win on Sunday. One wonders which cliff Coach Tarek Madani may fling himself from if they don?t!
I really can?t see APIA losing this one considering the circumstances.
The Northern Tigers get to start their off season a little earlier than the rest as they have the bye this Sunday.
So, by Sunday night we?ll know the finishing order of our top four, who will be playing who in the first weekend of finals football and saying farewell to the other teams in the Arrive Alive Women?s Super League that have kept us entertained in 2010. Personally, I can?t wait for what looms as a blockbuster finals series.
See you at a ground this weekend.
– Ross Anderson