Round 24 Preview – NPL Women’s NSW
The Premiership race is back on in the National Premier Leagues Women’s NSW competition, with the top four teams all still holding a mathematical chance of claiming the title with just three rounds of the regular season remaining.
With the finals race also taking shape and several sides looking to finish the campaign strongly, every point becomes increasingly valuable heading into the final turn of the season.
There are seven matches to enjoy across the weekend, with several fixtures carrying major implications for the Premiership and the final ladder positions.
UNSW FC v NWS Spirit
5:00pm, Saturday 15 August – The Village Green
The action kicks off at The Village Green on Saturday evening as UNSW FC take on NWS Spirit.
A massive win from UNSW FC last weekend has thrown them back into the Premiership hunt, with Zoran Naumovski’s side now looking to chase down Bulls FC Academy with just three games remaining.
It was a strong team performance in the victory over Macarthur Rams, with Demi Koulizakis and Lexie Moreno pulling the strings and helping UNSW secure a much-needed three points.
This will be a difficult task for Naumovski’s side, however, against a very good NWS Spirit team who have lost just two games during the second half of the season.
One of those defeats came last weekend against Western Sydney Wanderers at Christie Park.
It was also the first time since Round 10 that Spirit failed to find the back of the net — and, fittingly, the last time they had been shut out was also against the Wanderers.
Spirit will be desperate for a response and a victory on Saturday could see them climb a couple of spots up the ladder.
It could also have major consequences for UNSW, with a Spirit victory potentially extinguishing the Students’ hopes of lifting the Premiership.
Northern Tigers v Macarthur Rams
6:30pm, Saturday 15 August – North Turramurra Recreation Area
Also on Saturday, we travel to NTRA as Northern Tigers take on Macarthur Rams from 6:30pm.
Neither team can qualify for finals football, but both will be keen to secure points and finish their respective seasons in a respectable position.
The Tigers picked up an impressive 2-1 away victory over Sydney Olympic last weekend, with Tanaye Morris scoring her first goal since the end of May.
Northern Tigers currently occupy the first position outside of finals football, and it has been a solid first season in charge for Finn Geraghty.
They will be looking to finish the campaign strongly and build some momentum heading into next season.
The Rams found it tough against UNSW FC last weekend, particularly during the first half, but as the game progressed they grew in confidence.
Some smart substitutions from Vic Guzman also helped change the contest, with Macarthur making the second half a much more even affair.
They are a young side that has already shown this season that they can cause plenty of damage, and they will be looking to prove that again at NTRA.
Illawarra Stingrays v APIA Leichhardt
3:00pm, Sunday 16 August – The Pond
At The Pond in Sunday’s first game of the day, Illawarra Stingrays welcome APIA Leichhardt down the South Coast.
The Stingrays’ poor form to end the season continues, with their winless run now extending to six games.
They currently occupy second-bottom and will be keen to avoid finishing the season with the wooden spoon.
Over the years, Illawarra have proven to be something of a bogey team for APIA, which may give the hosts confidence heading into this contest.
APIA did it tough early on over the weekend but managed to secure all three points in the end, producing what became a routine victory.
They will need to tidy up their defending from set pieces, however, particularly against an Illawarra side with nothing to lose.
With slim hopes of lifting the Premiership still remaining, APIA cannot afford to drop points in this one.
Ash Letta’s incredible season also continues, with the striker scoring her 27th goal last weekend.
She now sits just five goals behind NPL record holder Georgia Yeoman-Dale, with three regular-season games remaining plus finals.
Gladesville Ravens v Hills United
3:10pm, Sunday 16 August – Christie Park
On Sunday afternoon, Gladesville Ravens take on Hills United at Christie Park.
Hills United managed to overtake their weekend opponents on the ladder with a convincing 3-0 victory over Western City Rangers.
Erin Tavares scored her first goals since Round Four in that victory and will come into this match full of confidence as she looks to add to her season tally.
The Gladesville Ravens, meanwhile, will be looking to bounce back after their heavy defeat against Macarthur Rams and produce another improved performance.
However, the Ravens are now seven games without a win and have slipped down the ladder during that run.
They will be keen to finish as high up the table as possible, and a victory here would see them climb at least one position.
Hills will be looking to build on their recent form and continue their strong first season in the competition following promotion.
Manly United v Bulls FC Academy
5:00pm, Sunday 16 August – Cromer Park
Cromer Park is the venue on Sunday evening for one of the biggest matches of the round as Manly United host Bulls FC Academy.
Manly’s finals hopes are over, but they have enjoyed a strong season, currently sitting in the top half of the table and having also reached the Sapphire Cup Final.
They come into this one having lost just one of their last five matches and following a comfortable victory over Illawarra Stingrays.
They would love nothing more than to dent the Bulls’ push towards a second successive Premiership.
Three consecutive draws for Bulls FC Academy have allowed those chasing them to close the gap at the top of the table once again.
Nonetheless, Marti Garces’ side have still not lost a game since Round Four, taking their incredible unbeaten run to 19 matches.
The Bulls have been impressive over the last two seasons and are now looking to set a new benchmark for themselves.
A victory at Cromer Park would put them one major step closer to securing another Premiership.
Western City Rangers v Sydney Olympic
5:00pm, Sunday 16 August – Popondetta Park
Western City Rangers take on Sydney Olympic at Popondetta Park on Sunday afternoon.
It was another disappointing result for Rangers last weekend, with a 3-0 loss to Hills United confirming their relegation from the top tier.
It is a sad outcome for the club, particularly after an incredible first season in the top tier in 2025.
Rangers will now be looking to finish their campaign strongly and give their supporters something to celebrate during the final stages of the season.
Sydney Olympic currently sit in mid-table but will be ruing a missed opportunity to move into the top half after suffering their first defeat following three straight victories.
Morgan Witz once again found the back of the net in that contest, taking her season tally to 12 goals.
Olympic will be looking to return to winning ways and finish the campaign as strongly as possible.
Western Sydney Wanderers v Sydney University
5:00pm, Sunday 16 August – Wanderers Football Park
At Wanderers Football Park on Sunday evening, Western Sydney Wanderers host Sydney University.
After going four games without a win, the Wanderers have put that poor run of form behind them, securing three straight victories over the past three weeks.
Their latest result was particularly impressive, defeating a strong NWS Spirit side away from home.
The Wanderers still have a mathematical chance of challenging for the Premiership, but they are more likely to be fighting for second place and the advantage of hosting a home semi-final.
Sydney University, meanwhile, have now recorded just one win in their last 12 matches after being held to a draw against league leaders Bulls FC Academy last weekend.
Uni took the lead in that contest but were unable to hold on, recording their seventh draw of the season.
They will be desperate to break that winless run before the season is out and finish as high up the ladder as possible.
With both sides looking to finish the regular season strongly, this promises to be another intriguing contest at Wanderers Football Park.
By Nikola Pozder
