This season’s NSW NPL Women’s grand final between Macarthur Rams and Bulls Academy offers the two clubs outcomes at opposite ends of a spectrum most would’ve perceived at this season’s commencement. For Macarthur, victory in this weekend’s showpiece event cements the club’s place in NSW NPL history, becoming the first side since Sydney University in 2015-16 to retain its championship; for Bulls, success against this more-fancied opponent would crown an incredible climb from catastrophic relegation and regeneration to top-flight supremacy in just three seasons.
That outcome for Bulls would seem even less likely given the outcome of the teams’ previous two Old Farm Derbies this season. Having taken an early lead in their May meeting, Bulls were overrun by four unanswered goals at Lynwood Park to leave St Helens Park on the end of a 4-1 defeat. The reverse fixture at Northbridge Oval an even more cruel result for the home side; having come back from two goals down to level the scores before half-time, Bulls’ hopes of earning a point were dashed by a Leena Khamis goal three minutes from the final whistle to steal all three points for the Rams.
Fielding the most miserly defence and a voracious attacking line-up, Rams have no shortage of weapons across their squad; from Alex Huynh’s solidity at the back and set-piece wizardry to Melissa Cáceres’ influence in midfield and Kelli Brown’s efficacy up front, manager Steven Peters has a cavalcade of quality at his disposal. And that’s without mentioning club stalwart Khamis, herself having earned nine goals alongside Brown’s 23, forming one of the most deadly striking duos in the league.
For Bulls coach Jaime Gomez, New Zealand striker Charlotte Lancaster’s two goals against premiers APIA Leichhardt in the semi-final and midfielder Avaani Prakash’s flawless scooped pass to earn the side a late penalty stand as testament to their quality among his Academy squad.
Capped by the Football Ferns’ under-20s set-up, Lancaster made headlines for A-League Women’s side Wellington Phoenix when the side was forced to list her as a substitute goalkeeper in 2022 after the club suffered depleted stocks in nets, though she should perhaps be better-known for her long-range goal against Australia in a friendly last year. Prakash herself is no stranger to public attention, becoming the face of an advertising campaign this year during the Women’s World Cup as one of Australia’s young footballers to watch, and watch her Macarthur would be well-advised to do, as the nifty #10 possesses vision well beyond her years.
Not having suffered defeat in the league since May, Macarthur head into this match as clear favourites, a team full of national-league quality players ready to be crowned Champions of NSW for the third time in the NPL Women’s era. But for Bulls Academy, this is a gilt-edged opportunity to claim what may be a unique championship – one earned immediately following promotion into the league.
One thing is for certain though: this match is one you won’t be able to take your eyes off.
2023 NPL Women’s NSW Grand Final
Macarthur Rams vs Bulls Academy
Valentine Sports Park, Glenwood
Sunday 17 September, 6:00pm kickoff
📺 Coverage via NPL.TV