Women’s Premier League Grand Final Preview

It comes down to this, two teams left, fighting for the ultimate prize.

The two best teams at the end of the regular season do battle in the grand final on Sunday afternoon at the picturesque Blacktown Football Park.

The Premiers, the Marconi Stallions will look to do the double this season but it won’t be an easy task, as the Illawarra Stingrays won’t lie down for anyone without a fight.

These two finished level on points at the end of the season with only goal difference separating them. Losing only six games between them all season we will be treated to a great footballing affair.

They’ve locked horns already three times this year; the first two were extremely close. The Stallions snuck by with a tight one goal win at Marconi Stadium, the second showed the Stingrays have heart and the fight in them, coming back from two goals down to register a 2-2 draw. The last game two weeks ago was quite different from the previous two as the Stallions easily disposed of the Stingrays 5-1 at Cromer Park.

Marconi Stallions

An all round strong team is the best description of the Stallions. It starts from the goalkeeper Shamiran Khamis to the point of the attack.

Captain Jodie Bain is an important piece of the Stallions armour. Commanding from the back she leads Marconi into this game with hope of doing the double. The versatile Teigen Allen is another that plays a major role in the Stallions team, overlapping in attack and doing her job in defence also.

Alanna Kennedy and the experience and expertise of Heather Garriock see’s the Stallions engine run. Garriock has lifted Marconi’s play since her mid season signing and is a joy to watch for all. She possibly provides the greatest danger for the Stingrays defence.

The front four would provide any team with a scare. Evelyn Chronis and Helen Petinos were excellent against the Stingrays in the major semi final as they were unstoppable for the Stingrays defence down their flanks. Add the pacey Linda O’Neill and classy Nicola Bolger to that and you’ve got some mixture.

Trudy Camilleri is another that can provide the Stingrays with a headache if she is playing. If the Stallions can play to their best, the championship won’t be to far from their reach.

Illawarra Stingrays

Like their opponents, the Stingrays have a rich history in women’s football as well as providing countless Matilda’s. They’re a squad with heart and one that won’t back off before giving it a real hard go.

In the major semi final, even though they were down on the scoreboard and down to 10 on the pitch they didn’t stop until the final whistle sounded. This fighting spirit could be just what they need to push them past the post and win the title.

With midfield maestro Michelle Carney added to this fighting spirit anything is possible. Carney has at times single handedly pulled this team through tough moments providing assists and scoring goals when needed most. She was quite though against the Stallions and uncharacteristically had a poor game by her standards in the semi final.

With the speedy Jordan baker upfront, she will sure cause problems for the Marconi defence. She scored a brace over the weekend, helping the Stingrays overcome the Macarthur Rams.

Kristen Lee also makes a return in defence for the Stingrays this week after receiving her marching orders for a second yellow in the semi final against Marconi. With Jessica Cooper at the back, the Stingrays will look to contain the strong Stallions attack.

Erica Halloway is another x-factor in the Stingrays team and with her on song the Stallions will have a tough time containing them

The Verdict

Both teams have been working hard for months building toward this moment, the grand final.  Both sides know each other from top to bottom and will come prepared with their tactics to this one. The result can go either way but one thing is for sure, there will be fireworks in the 2013 Women’s Premier League grand final.

Rnd 5 – Marconi Stallions 1-0 Illawarra Stingrays

Rnd 16 – Illawarra Stingrays 2-2 Marconi Stallions

MSF – Marconi Stallions 5-1 Illawarra Stingrays

Grand Final Women’s Premier League–
Blacktown Football Park – 3:30pm
Marconi Stallions VS Illawarra Stingrays
-By Nikola Pozder