Grand Final Preview – PS4 NPL NSW Women’s 1

The big prize is up for grabs on Sunday afternoon as the Macarthur Rams and Sydney University contest the PS4 NPL NSW Women’s 1 Grand Final at Valentine Sports Park.
Around eight months of hard work and sweat has seen these two sides separate themselves from the rest of the competition, with one to be named Champion on Sunday evening.
It’s a bit of deja vu for the Rams who find themselves in their second consecutive Grand Final having been at the same place last season against the Football NSW Institute. Similarly to last year, they finished Premiers but were unsuccessful in the final, going down in extra time, giving them an added incentive on Sunday afternoon to go ‘one better’.
A squad with current or ex-Matilda’s such as Leena Khamis, Kylie Ledbrook and of course leader and captain, Renee Rollason is a danger to any team. Added to the trio is experienced Hayley Crawford who has been a rock at the back, commanding her younger troops around her.
With Rollason’s expertise and silky skill in midfield also come the danger through goal scoring machine Kate Hensman and the speedy Georgia Yeoman-Dale who is a constant headache to defenders. Yeoman-Dale leads the clubs scoring charts with 12, closely followed by Hensman on 11.
They’ve been completely lethal throughout the whole season and deserve their place to fight for the major prize. Finishing top of the pile with only three defeats as well as registering the best defence and attack in the league.
With last season’s Grand Final loss sure to be in the back of the minds of some players, Rams coach Norm Boardman believes otherwise.
“This year we have a different approach and the girls have bought into that, they’re a confident bunch but not over confident.
“We know it’ll be a battle, it’s the Grand Final, they’re always tough games but we’re ready for it.
“It’s the biggest game of the season.”
On their opponents, Boardman has words of praise and commends their season thus far.
“They’re worthy Grand Finalists, they’ve been steady all year and fairly consistent.
“They’ve also had their fair share of injuries over the season but showed they’ll be worthy opponents with a convincing win over a tired Blacktown Spartans team.”
Uni move into the Grand Final from third place, first showing character and coming from behind to beat Manly United in an epic Extra Time Elimination Final, then storming passed the Blacktown Spartans in the Preliminary Final.
Sitting between the top two and three throughout the whole season, it can be said that they have earned their right to fight for the Championship. Stephanie Ambrose has risen through the ranks and has been one of Uni’s best players this season, sitting at the top of the clubs scoring charts with 12 goals.
Liz Grey hasn’t been as lethal as she was last term but has found some important goals this season. She’s no stranger to scoring screamer’s either, picking one up in the Preliminary Final as well as the last time they met the Rams.
Liana Danaskos has been an unsung hero for the Uni side, her work rate in midfield is second to none and she’ll be very important in breaking up the Rams’ play. Added to that, Natasha Prior in the centre of defence, marshalled by the experienced Trudy Burke in goals, Uni could cause a stir on Sunday afternoon.
Heather Garriock knows what her team must do to have a chance of being crowned Champions on Sunday evening.
“We need to stick to our game plan, we’ve been doing it over the last few weeks and it’s been working for us.
The Rams have been dominant this year throughout the competition, defeating Uni in both previous clashes but Garriock has the belief in her side to come out victorious.
“Absolutely as a coach I believe in the girls and if we play as we did against the Spartans we’ll match them and hopefully go that one better.”
“Collectively we’ve showed belief, we’re working as a team and we’ve got quality off the bench as well.”
The Uni mentor also made comment on the Rams and what she expects from Sunday’s game.
“They’ve got quality footballers all over the park, internationals and W-League players, so I’m expecting a good match on the weekend.”
Tale of the tape –
R9 – Sydney University 1-3 Macarthur Rams
R18 – Macarthur Rams 4-2 Sydney University
by Nikola Pozder, PS4 National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s 1 Reporter