The top five are locked in and finals football kicks off this weekend in the NPL NSW Women’s competition.
Sydney University gets the week off after finishing top of the league and Alex Epakis will use this to analyse his opponents in detail.
Blacktown Spartans (4th) v Illawarra Stingrays (5th)
At Valentine Sports Park on Saturday, the Blacktown Spartans face off against the Illawarra Stingrays is the elimination semi-final.
There’s no second chance for these two, the losers season comes to an end, the winners dream lives on.
The Spartans have been on a good run of form of late and with Ash Crofts finding her scoring boots at the right time, she’ll be key for David Saliba’s team.
Alix Roberts offers another attacking option from right back while the little spoken about centre back pairing of Keisha Allen and Hannah Bourke have been fantastic in front of Casey Dumont.
A stuttering run home meant the Stingrays missed out on a top three position but they’re without a doubt, one of the best teams in the competition.
Liana Danaskos is back to offer strength and depth in midfield in addition to the experienced heads of Caitlin Cooper, Erica Halloway and captain Michelle Carney
These two only met four weeks ago and it was the Stingrays that came out on top at JJ Kelly Park by the odd goal. Earlier in the season, the Spartans took the points by their own tight score line, recording a 2-1 victory.
This one can go either way and will go down to the wire.
Sydney Olympic (2nd) v Northern Tigers (3rd)
Sydney Olympic and the Northern Tigers will battle it out at Arlington Oval in the qualifying final on Sunday afternoon.
These two were in the top three for the majority of the season and the Tigers slugging it out with Uni for the Premiership.
Three games without a victory, including defeat against Uni dashed their hopes of taking the first available trophy of 2019.
Daisy Arrowsmith has been the Tigers best, scoring 17 goals this season and she is closely followed by Maddie Bart.
It’s been a season to remember for the team from North Turramurra, improving drastically on last season.
Olympic on the other hand, only promoted this season, have really shown they can battle with the best in the state.
Quality across the park, from Jada Whyman in goals to the maestro Teresa Polias in midfield, they are one fine team.
Susan Phonsongkham has been one of Olympics best in 2019 and when she is on, Olympic usually take the spoils so George Beltsos will be hoping it’s her day.
It’s a win apiece for these two after their clashes this season meaning we will more than likely be in for another tight affair.
By – Nikola Pozder, NPL NSW Women’s Writer