2022 NPL NSW Women’s Grand Final Preview

It all comes down to this one on Sunday afternoon at Valentine Sports Park as the Macarthur Rams take on the Northern Tigers in the #NPLWNSW Grand Final. 

Since mid-April, 12 team fought tooth and nail to find themselves playing on the final day of the season with the opportunity to be crowned Champions of the competition.

When the semi-final pairings were made last week, neither of these teams were considered favourites against their opponents but both definitely showed they have the quality and class to play for the ultimate prize.

These two have played twice this season, the first game ending in a 1-0 victory for the Tigers courtesy of an early Ash Brodigan goal.

The second ended in a draw at Lynwood Park, again, the Tigers took an early lead through Isabel Gomez before Patty Charalambous equalised on the half hour mark, the match ending in a 1-1 draw.

MACARTHUR RAMS 

The Macarthur Rams needed an extra 30 minutes to get over and defeat APIA Leichhardt at Lambert Park with veteran Leena Khamis playing a key role in that victory.

What is more, they showed fight and grit after losing the week before to the same opponent to put up a match winning performance.

The Rams have peaked at the right time and been in fine form, losing only two games since July and shooting up the ladder and booking their finals place.

The Coach 

Stephen Peters is experienced at this level after spending time at NWS Spirit and the Blacktown Spartans. The title eluded him back in 2016 when he lost the grand final with the NWS Spirit (Koalas at the time) and will be keen to go one better this time around.

He has managed to put together an excellent team and build a squad with the players he selected, strong enough to go all the way.

Key Player(s) 

It’s the spine of this team that makes it as strong as it is. Sham Khamis is one of the best goal keepers in the competition, Madison McComasky has grown next to the experienced Alex Huynh in defence making their defensive core strong.

The midfield pairing of Beth Gordon and Mel Caceres compliment each other adding to both the team’s stability and creativity.

Leena Khamis is a terror for defences. Her aggressive defence from the front puts oppositions under pressure but her intelligence to assist her team mates and score makes her extremely difficult to defend.

X-Factor 

It’s hard to pick between Laura Murtagh and Patty Charalambous but the latter gets the nod due to her dangerous set pieces.

Charalambous has been involved with a high amount of the Rams’ goals this season, not only are her corners deadly but she can also strike a precise cross into the box or shot on goal.

NORTHERN TIGERS 

Two weeks ago, they looked down and they looked out. Sydney Uni quite literally dismantled them and almost put them out of the finals. Showing true Tigers’ courage and bravery, they came out and did whatever Uni did to them the week before to knock out the Premiers.

The Tigers form moving into the finals was not exactly where they would have liked it to be but rose at the right time. They only won two games of their last 10 before the Uni semi final match but definitely have the quality to go all the way.

They lost some important players throughout the campaign, none more important than their young superstar Aideen Keane who has missed the season due to injury.

The Coach 

In his first season at the helm as head coach, Jake Stephenson could not have wished for a better start to his first-grade coaching career.

As mentioned previously, he has had to deal with losing key players throughout the campaign but also leaders from the team from the previous season.

Key Player(s) 

Stars all over the park and similarly to their opponents, their goal keeper Morgan Aquino is fantastic and important part of their team.

Isabel Gomez and Malia Steinmetz have been standouts this season and will be key in both defence and midfield in not just breaking up play but also creating for their team mates.

Hannah McNulty and Maddie Bart add heart to this Tigers squad while all eyes will be on top scorer Ash Brodigan who will be entrusted with doing what she does best, finding the back of the net.

X-Factor 

It has to be Shadeene Evans. Always promising so much quality and when she is on, Evans is extremely difficult to stop. Just ask Sydney Uni. She was fantastic last weekend and should she put up another performance like that, the Rams will have their hands full.

She’s fast, skilful and can score, a real ‘x-factor’ for the Northern Tigers in this one.

Don’t miss out on this Sunday’s NPL NSW Women’s Grand Final at Valentine Sports Park 1 with kick off set for 3pm.

Those that cannot make the match can watch it LIVE and EXCLUSIVE only on NPL.TV.

-By NPL NSW Women’s Chief Writer and Commentator Nikola Pozder