PlayStation4 NPL NSW Women’s Grand Final 2017 Preview

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The Grand Final of the 2017 PlayStation 4 NPL NSW Women’s competition is finally upon us this Sunday at 5pm at Valentine Sports Park, as the Macarthur Rams take on Manly United.

After 18 rounds of back and forth exhilarating action, along with a couple weeks of finals football, the decider has arrived.

90 minutes, possibly 120 plus penalties remain in what has been one of the best and most memorable seasons of women’s football in this state.

The Macarthur Rams spent most of the campaign at number one on the ladder, with final opponents Manly United, former Premiers and Champions Sydney University and the Illawarra Stingrays in close pursuit.

The Rams held off the challengers and lifted the Premiership tittle on the final day of the season, finishing just ahead of United.

This week, the top two sides of the competition collide in what promises to be an epic battle.

For the Rams, they enter this one with a massive handicap as influential attacking midfielder Kylie Ledbrook will be serving a one-match suspension.

American import Kristina Maksuti, who has scored goals at will this season, is also not in contention for Sunday’s final, while question marks remain over captain Claire Walsh who hobbled off the pitch early against Sydney Uni.

Despite the substantial losses, the Rams are a team with fantastic quality all over the park.

Starting with Sham Khamis, who once again showed she may be in the form of her life after Sunday’s Preliminary Final performance.

The Ralston sisters Elizabeth and Lauren are as solid as ever at the back with the towering Caitlin Campbell prepared to slot in at any time.

The brains of the team has Teresa Polias conducting the midfield, while up front you have the goal machines Leena Khamis and Amy Harrison.

Added to this, young stars Rosaria Galea and Khalia Muilwyk, Norm Boardman’s team will be confident they can complete the double that has eluded them in previous seasons.

That ‘hoodoo’ is something the Rams will look to break after losing the 2014 and 2015 Grand Finals having won the Premiership in both campaigns.

Their opponents on Sunday have been building something over the past few seasons and have finally got where they desired.

Manly United’s progression has been great to watch, finishing the 2014 season in 6th, 2015 in 4th, 2016 in 3rd and this year, runner’s up to the Rams for the Premiership.

Into the Grand Final for the first time, United mentor Chris Williams believes his young side can go all the way.

The one name that jumps out at everyone is Remy Siemsen, an obvious key player for United that has turned heads not only in New South Wales, but Australia as a whole.

The goal-scoring machine will be United’s go to as she will lead the team from the front.

But, don’t be fooled, it doesn’t stop there.

United are one of the best drilled and structured sides in the competition, with an array of young, talented footballers all over the park.

The skilful and always dangerous Ally Green, Sarah Yatim, Tash Prior, Chloe O’Brien and more are all capable of being game changers.

Captain Bella Walker has been a fantastic servant to the club and a true leader both on and off the park, she’ll be responsible for stopping the Rams’ attacks.

The quality these teams have is obvious, picking a winner is too hard.

Macarthur won the two regular season matches, United won only two weeks ago.

It’ll be a titanic battle between these two talented teams and goals are almost guaranteed looking at the previous four Grand Finals.

It shouldn’t be missed.

GRAND FINAL

Manly United v Macarthur Rams

Valentine Sports Park

Sunday, 27th August, 5pm

*The match will also be live streamed on the NPL NSW Facebook page with coverage commencing at 5pm.

-By Nikola Pozder