The season’s top two teams contested the Capital Football NPLW Grand Final on Saturday at a breezy Deakin Stadium. It was a showcase of the best attack vs the best defence as Belconnen United took on Canberra Olympic.
For an alternate review of the game, check out the Capital Football article from Jeremy Magan.
Grand Final: Belconnen United vs Canberra Olympic (Bar TV)
Anticipation was high after Canberra Olympic’s barnstorming finish in the Preliminary Final, as well as the intensity shown by Belconnen in the Major Semi Final, which earned the Blue Devils direct passage to the Championship decider. Upon arrival at the venue, however, we learnt that two key players in the Blue Devils’ spine – centre-back Alilish McDonagh and midfielder Sofia Palywoda – were unavailable, putting them slightly on the back foot.
This was the third successive Grand Final between these two sides, ever since Olympic’s major roster overhaul in the leadup to the 2022 season, which included the recruitment of several Blue Devils stars. The honours in the last two editions have gone Olympic’s way but Scott Conlon’s young side have continued to grow, pushing their opponents all the way, sometimes overcoming them. The coaching duels this season between Conlon and Nicole Begg’s successor Frank Cachia have been fascinating, with plenty of counterpunching tactics used to gain an edge.
Both sides showed their attacking intentions by setting up with a back three, with Lauren Preston marshalling the Belconnen defence and Madeline Steinacker assuming a midfield role for the Sky Blues. Meanwhile, Olympic’s Jaya Bowman stepped forward into the defensive holding midfielder position she has excelled in this season. Perhaps the most interesting changes, however, were the introduction of Liana Alves as a starting Olympic midfielder, and Reilly Yuen’s move back into a more defensive midfield role – at least initially – having played much of the season in the Belconnen attack.
Yuen’s defensive mindset would last less than a quarter hour, a consequence of Canberra Olympic opening the scoring. A quick-thinking Tianah Miro pounced upon Michaela Thornton’s speculative delivery from a right flank throw-in to pass the ball into the net, stunning keeper Monique Pinkiewicz, who was about to pick up the ball.
With just three in the Olympic backline, golden boot Alyssa Di Campli had several key one-on-one moments against centre-back Elke Aitolu, finding it difficult to overcome Aitolu’s positioning, shielding, and calm control. Alves in midfield was also proving to be an excellent choice in the starting lineup, competing hard and making her presence felt.
An Alyse Jensen shot from distance for the Blue Devils was one of their few attempts on goal in this period, with the Olympic pressure building again after a Yuen yellow card for a clumsy challenge on Bowman, followed by three successive Ella Brown corners.
When Madelyn Whittall nudged the ball across to Nicole Jalocha on the edge of the Belconnen box, after a goal-kick in the 38th minute, the opportunity wasn’t wasted. Jalocha fired spectacularly with her left foot into Pinkiewicz’s top left corner, making it 2-0. A force for Olympic in the finals series, Jalocha would go on to be voted Player of the Match in the decider.
The electrifying pace of Blue Devils vice-captain Keira Bobbin got her into the Olympic penalty area more than once, and these were sliding-door moments that may have given Belconnen the boost they needed. One of these was at the conclusion of the first half – there would be another in the second – with Kat Peric timing her tackle brilliantly. The teams headed into the sheds with Olympic two goals to the good.
There were no goals in the second half. If the narrative above shows the importance of experienced players such as Jalocha, Thornton, Whittall, and Peric on a big occasion, there was more of this in the second stanza. The Blue Devils threw the kitchen sink at Olympic, at times defending with just two players, yet couldn’t get the vital breakthrough. Custodian Janet King rose to the occasion several times, and her presence cannot be underestimated in contributing to the strength of the Olympic psyche.
As the game drew towards a close, Yuen was once again leading the Belconnen attacking line. Her fierce 78th-minute drive was somehow blocked at close range by King, while a goal scored with ten minutes to go was judged to be offside.
Olympic didn’t bring their first-half attacking intensity into the second half but can’t be accused of sitting back, managing to find a balance that allowed them to close out the game – and ensure a Grand Final three-peat – with their two-goal lead intact. Congratulations go to Cachia and team for their feats in 2024 – Premiers, Grand Final winners and Charity Shield trophy holders.
Things didn’t go the way of Conlon’s young team in this one but their star continues to rise. Good things no doubt lie ahead with experiences such as these under their collective belts to further fuel their ambition. It’s a shame we have to wait until next season to see how it plays out!
>>> Full match timeline and team line-ups can be found here <<<
Final score:
Belconnen United 0
Canberra Olympic 2 (Tianah Miro 14′, Nicole Jalocha 38′)
We’ll finish up our coverage of the season in the next week with a Beyond 90 Team of the Year selection, as well as some thoughts on the 2024 campaign.
