We made it! For the first time since 2019, a full set of double round robin fixtures has been completed and now it’s time for finals football.
The format is simple – two semi-finals this weekend, with the winners meeting in the Grand Final on the following weekend. We’ve got two high quality matchups and four talented teams, so whoever wins the Grand Final will certainly have earned the right to be called Champions.
An upcoming restructure means that from 2023 onwards NSW NPL will be a 14 team, 26 round competition with no postseason games. Since this is the last finals series, make sure you attend the games or tune in to the live streams!
APIA Leichhardt v Macarthur Rams
Sat 10 Sep, 6pm, Lambert Park
Didn’t we just watch this game? All jokes aside, it will be fascinating to see how these two sides handle a rare situation: playing the same team on consecutive weekends.
APIA will be hoping that Sunday’s result means a return to Lambert Park being their fortress after an uncharacteristic run of four home games without victory. The Inner West side worked hard in defence to keep Macarthur’s talented attack scoreless, with Claudia Cicco putting together another assured performance at the heart of their backline.
Looking further forward, APIA’s midfield is a formidable test for any opponent. Sarah Hunter’s passing range is almost unrivalled and the Young Matilda can be relied upon to keep a cool head under pressure. Estelle Fragale may not have the profile to match some of her teammates, but her work rate and ability to break up play help APIA maintain periods of pressure. Rhianna Pollicina has had another great season – eight goals and eight assists are a demonstration of the varied ways in which the midfield magician can trouble opposing teams.
Speaking of goals, we can’t overlook the Shea Connors-Sophie Hoban strike partnership, which has combined for 23 goals this year. It’s no surprise that APIA have the most prolific attack in the league, especially when these two receive quality service from wide areas – the likes of Deborah-Anne de la Harpe, Nicki Flannery and Kaitlyn Torpey come to mind.
Not that Macarthur can be underestimated, of course. Sunday’s defeat is not a true representation of what we can expect in the semi-final, as they were without the services of Bethany Gordon, Alex Huynh, Melissa Caceres and Kylie Ledbrook – Rams coach Stephen Peters opted not to select this quartet, who are all one booking away from a suspension. The team from Lynwood Park will surely be a much tougher proposition with those four in the lineup.
Macarthur have their own dynamic duo in attack. Laura Murtagh reached a double figure goal tally for this campaign, displaying a goal threat that wingers don’t always have. As always, expect Leena Khamis to make an impact: she’s certainly a player for the big occasion and her instincts in front of goal will give the APIA defence plenty to think about.
In a side with plenty of experience, it’s easy to forget the younger players who are making their mark on the competition. Holly Williams is a tough-tackling defender with a fierce competitive streak and has blossomed since joining the Rams, while Darcey Malone adds plenty of skill in the centre of the park. There’s also former University of the Incarnate Word star Madison McComasky, who can play in either central defence or central midfield, providing the kind of versatility that coaches love.
This is APIA’s first appearance in an NSW NPL finals series and Macarthur’s first postseason adventure since winning the 2018 Grand Final, who will advance to the Championship game? We can’t wait to find out!
Head-to-head
Round 11: Macarthur Rams 0-3 APIA Leichhardt
Round 22: APIA Leichhardt 2-0 Macarthur Rams
Regular season
APIA: 2nd, won 12, drawn 4, lost 6, 40 points, scored 48, conceded 25
Macarthur: 3rd, won 12, drawn 4, lost 6, 40 points, scored 41, conceded 25
Sydney University v Northern Tigers
Sun 11 Sep, 6pm, Valentine Sports Park
It’s almost a ritual these days: Sydney University and Northern Tigers meeting in the postseason. Uni bested Tigers in the epic 2019 Grand Final, then knocked them out in the 2020 semi-finals, so the Tigers will be keen to exact some revenge on The Students. As with the other semi-final, these two sides met last weekend, although this time we’ll be swapping North Turramurra Recreation Area for Valentine Sports Park.
It was revealed in an article published by Football NSW that Rola Badawiya came to Sydney University’s attention after her partner, who plays on the Sydney Uni men’s water polo team, got in touch with the women’s football team. While the way in which Badawiya was discovered is unusual, you can’t argue with the results. The California Baptist University alumnus is Uni’s top scorer with 13 goals, some of them spectacular, and she could well be the match winner on Sunday.
Alongside Badawiya in attack, Holly Caspers has been a star in her own right. The speedster reached the ten goal mark for the campaign after last weekend’s double against the Tigers, making a couple of ghosting runs behind the defence to score those two goals. This pairing complement each other very well and are a large part of Uni’s run to a fourth consecutive Premiership.
The Students have also been strong at the other end of the field. Their goals conceded tally (14) is the lowest in the competition, and they have kept clean sheets in half of their games.
Credit must go to Ashley Irwin, who has taken on a lot of responsibility in the absence of Uni defensive stalwarts Taren King and Clare Hunt. Alongside her, Gabrielle Peak has been a quiet achiever, just like a person who says nothing in tutorials and then finishes the semester with a high distinction. The Sydney Uni backline also has a pair of high quality overlapping fullbacks in Emma Ilijoski and Annabel Martin, two players who contribute at both ends of the field.
Last weekend, Northern Tigers conceded four goals in a game for the first time this season – we’re anticipating a much stronger defensive showing this time around. Ella Tonkin is one of this country’s most highly rated young central defenders, and beside her former University of Maryland, Baltimore County player Teal Kilbride has handled the transition to 1st Grade well after starting the season in the Reserves.
Football Fern Malia Steinmetz will be a huge loss (get well soon Malia!), but thankfully Tigers can call upon Isabel Gomez to anchor their midfield. While Gomez provides the defensive cover, the likes of Maddie Bart and Hannah McNulty bomb forward to support the attack: those two have combined for 15 goals in 2022.
In the Tigers forward line, all eyes will be on Ashlee Brodigan as she looks to add to her 12 goal tally. The no. 18 has been an inspired signing, one who threatens both in open play and from the dead ball. However, don’t forget Abbey Green, who has recorded six assists for the campaign and is one of the most creative players in the league.
We would also like to give a shoutout to a couple of unsung heroines. Fullbacks Josie Wilson and Ariella Cabezas work tirelessly and do plenty of unglamorous work to nullify opposing wide attackers. Wilson is also one of two Tigers 1st Grade centurions in the side (McNulty is the other one) and this kind of experience will be vital for them on Sunday.
Will Sydney Uni make the Grand Final for the sixth time in the last seven (completed) seasons, or will the Tigers break the finals curse that The Students have over them? There’s plenty of intrigue hanging over Sunday’s game – just the way we like it.
Head-to-head
Round 11: Sydney University 1-0 Northern Tigers
Round 22: Northern Tigers 2-4 Sydney University
Regular season
Sydney Uni: 1st, won 16, drawn 3, lost 3, 51 points, scored 37, conceded 14
Tigers: 4th, won 10, drawn 8, lost 4, 38 points, scored 47, conceded 28
