League Three Men’s 2022 Grand Final Preview
In the final game of the League Three Men campaign, Newcastle Jets will take on Nepean FC in the Grand Final as the two sides go head to head for the title.
Meanwhile, in the Under 20’s League Three Men Grand Final, the Jets will come up against UNSW FC.
Grand Final: Newcastle Jets vs Nepean FC – Saturday 6pm, Valentine Sports Park
Newcastle Jets will take on Nepean FC in the Grand Final to conclude the League Three Men season at Valentine Sports Park at 6pm.
It took the Jets just one game to make the Grand Final during the finals series, as they defeated current opponents Nepean FC in the Major Semi-Final on penalties.
Nepean’s run to the Grand Final was more substantial.
They took on and defeated Hawkesbury City after extra time to make the Major Semi-Final, before being downed by the Jets in that fixture.
To get to the Grand Final, they won 1-0 against Nepean FC, with a goal to Raajdeep Singh in the 55th minute securing their spot.
The two teams finished first and second on the ladder respectively in the regular season, with the Jets five points clear of Nepean.
Newcastle lost just two matches across the regular campaign, the least in the league, while Nepean lost four, the second least.
The Jets drew five times compared to Nepean’s six and had two more victories compared to their opponents, with Newcastle winning 12 matches.
Newcastle’s 55 goals scored across the campaign was only second to UNSW by one, while Nepean scored 36, the joint fourth most.
Interestingly, Nepean and Newcastle conceded the same amount of goals (23) over the course of the season, the joint least over the campaign, showing their solidity in defence.
Defensive structure, intensity and ability could form the key to who emerges victorious on Saturday night, with only two matches of the finals campaign seeing a side score more than once – one being Prospect United’s 5-1 victory over Hawkesbury City and the other being Nepean’s 3-2 win over Hawkesbury, although that was after extra time, with the score 1-1 at the original final whistle.
In regular time, only 10 goals have been scored across the five finals matches, with four being scored in four when taking off the Hawkesbury Prospect game.
This is where defensive solidity could come into play on the final day, although there’s as much chance of another high-scoring match, which has been a headline feature of the overall League Three Men campaign.
In the regular season, Newcastle drew to Nepean 0-0 at home in round five before defeating them 2-0 away in round 16, before the Jets victory on penalties after another 0-0 draw in the Major Semi-Final.
The League Three Men Grand Final promises to feature intense, energetic and high-quality football and is free of entry at Valentine Sports Park this Saturday night.
The game will also be broadcasted live exclusively on NPL.TV with commentator Nick Kutnjak if you’re unable to attend live.
Players to watch
Edward Stewart
Nepean have been a strong defensive side throughout the campaign and will need the leadership, presence and quality of their captain Edward Stewart in the defensive line on Saturday night.
Stewart has been at the heart of Nepean’s defensive solidity which has seen them prevent the Jets from scoring two times when they’ve played this season – Newcastle has only failed to score four times this campaign.
Adam Zervas
For Newcastle, Adam Zervas is a player to look out for come the weekend.
An advanced midfielder, Zervas has impressed throughout the season with his close control, quick change of direction and range of passing.
He could be the key to unlocking Nepean’s strong defensive structure with his bursts and decisive actions into space.
Under 20’s Grand Final: Newcastle Jets vs UNSW FC – Saturday 3pm, Valentine Sports Park
In the final match of the Under 20’s League Three Men competition, Newcastle Jets will take on UNSW FC in the Grand Final.
The Jets finished first on the Under 20’s ladder, and cruised to the Grand Final in just one game, as they defeated the now eliminated South Coast Flame in the Major Semi-Final 6-1.
UNSW, meanwhile, finished fifth on the ladder, defeating Hurstville FC on goal difference and have had a sustained finals campaign which has led to them reaching the final stage.
They defeated Camden Tigers 2-0 in the Elimination Semi-Final, before winning against Parramatta FC by one goal in the Minor Semi-Final.
UNSW made the Grand Final with another 1-0 win, this time over South Coast Flame and will be taking on a strong Jets side for the title this weekend.
By Football NSW League 3 Men’s Reporter, Jack George (@JackGeorge0004)
