Finals football is upon us in the National Premier League NSW Women’s and it kicks off this Wednesday night! 

APIA Leichhardt (1st) v Bulls FC Academy (4th)

Wednesday 6th September at Lambert Park (7:40pm)

The finals start on Wednesday night at 7:40pm at Lambert Park as the Premiers host fourth placed Bulls FC Academy.

It was party central in the Inner West on Sunday night as APIA celebrate winning both the Club Championship and the first grade Premiership.

They will need to focus their attention back to Wednesday’s semi final in what will be a busy week for the maroons who on Sunday will look to add further silverware to the trophy cabinet when they take part in the Sapphire Cup final.

Three straight wins and 12 goals scored in that period, APIA come into this one full of confidence.

Ash Crofts has found her scoring boots again after going three matches without a goal, to score five in her last three matches.

Sunday’s high scoring victory over the Emerging Jets allowed coach Spencer Prior to rest a number of key players with limited minutes ahead of this difficult week.

Holly McNamara and Estelle Fragalle were both replaced at the break, while Tash Prior started on the bench and Claudia Cicco sat out due to suspension.

APIA are on the path to an incredible season, they have already bagged the Club Championship and Premiership, they are still alive in the Sapphire Cup and Championship series, can they make it a quadruple?

The Bulls needed to win their last two games and needed the Northern Tigers to slip up once, it happened and they snuck into the Top Four.

Since the end of July, they have only lost one game in their last six, a tight defeat against the Macarthur Rams.

You can’t look beyond Peta Trimis, Avaani Prakash and Charlotte Lancaster who have come alive at the right time in the season.

The danger that Jessica Seaman also possesses from set pieces and stability she offers in defence is of major importance.

They are a very well drilled team who on their day can beat anyone in the competition and Jaime Gomez will feel he can lead his team to the Grand Final.

Interestingly, these two teams have met twice already this campaign and Bulls FC Academy are one of only two teams APIA has not managed to defeat this season, the first two matches ending in draws.

Who will come out on top at Lambert Park on Wednesday night?

Tale of the tape: 

Round 2: APIA Leichhardt 0-0 Bulls FC Academy

Round 15: Bulls FC Academy 2-2 APIA Leichardt

Macarthur Rams (2nd) v NWS Spirit (3rd)

Sunday 10th September at Valentine Sports Park 2 (5:45pm)

On Sunday at Valentine Sports Park the second semi-final will take place as the Macarthur Rams host NWS Spirit.

The Rams are on an incredible streak which has not seen them lose since the 7^th of May, 17 games without defeat for Stephen Peters’ side and they are the in form team moving into finals football.

Macarthur have developed remarkably as the season has progressed and their rise up the ladder has been fascinating to watch.

They were the only team able to stick with APIA in the Premiership race and took it to the last day of the season in an excellent finale.

It’s hard to pick out an individual in a team that performs so well together, Kelli Brown finished runner up to the golden boot with 23 goals for the season and is one that you can identify.

Incredibly, the Rams have been kept scoreless only twice this season and finding the back of the net has not been a problem at all, scoring 70 goals in 26 games.

Defensively, they have been just as tight, with the leagues best defence only conceding 24 goals this campaign.

Having more or less wrapped up third place weeks ago, Spirit’s form has been quite inconsistent in the final rounds, a draw along with two losses and two wins.

They have a lot of weapons across the park that will be able to hurt the Rams, Mary Stanic-Floody who is in fine form, team’s top scorer Morgan Roberts who has scored 15 goals this campaign and of course, last year’s play of the season, Rola Badawiya.

Spirit have kept only two clean sheets in their last 10 games, conceding 18 goals in that time which is peculiar for a team who had one of the tightest defences in the first half of the campaign.

The spoils were shared this season between the two with both teams grabbing a win apiece.

Tale of the tape: 

Round 2: NWS Spirit 2-1 Macarthur Rams

Round 15: Macarthur Rams 3-1 NWS Spirit

*Both matches will be shown live and exclusive only on NPL.TV.

By Nikola Pozder.

The final round of the National Premier League’s NSW Women’s competition is upon us with the Premiership to be fought out between APIA Leichhardt and Macarthur Rams and Top Four places still up for grabs. 

A massive round of football awaits us with some games with major implications, from the Premiership to finals and relegation, let’s get to this weekend’s preview.

Bulls FC Academy v NWS Spirit (4:30pm)

It’s derby time at Northbridge Oval as Bulls FC Academy host NWS Spirit in the first match of round 26.

The Bulls did an excellent job without some key players last week, coming away with a convincing win from Blacktown Football Park.

A victory will see Jaime Gomez’s team playing finals football and the form that his attacking trio of Charlotte Lancaster, Peta Trimis and Avaani Prakash are in, he will feel confident they can get the job done.

With third place locked down, Spirit come into this match more so in preparation for next week’s finals match.

Tiana Gauci may choose to rest players or play some into form ahead of massive semi-final, decisions are to be made by the coach.

APIA Leichhardt v Emerging Jets (4:55pm)

The champagne has been on ice at Lambert Park since last week as APIA Leichhardt host the Emerging Jets.

They have led the competition from start to finish and Spencer Prior’s team are on the verge of claiming the Premiership in the final competition round.

Going away to North Turramurra, APIA did what they needed to in order to put themselves in this position.

After securing the Club Championship, they will hope to continue their celebrations on Sunday with victory and the Premiership.

Wouldn’t the Emerging Jets love to spoil the party in Sydney’s Inner West on Sunday night!

It would be the surprise of the season if they were able to do it but they come into this match with nothing to lose and no pressure.

Bankstown City Lions v Football NSW Institute (5pm)

At Jensen Park on Sunday, the Bankstown City Lions host Football NSW Institute.

Bankstown will have one eye on proceedings Cromer Park as their safety in the NPL competition hangs by a thread.

They will try finish the season in the most positive fashion possible and hope results go their way elsewhere.

The stretched Institute have put in some fine performances of late and come into this one with no pressure.

Madi Caspers and Caley Tallon-Henniker look like the new stars to emerge from the VSP so keep an eye on them two here.

Sydney University v Macarthur Rams (5pm)

The reigning Premiers will hand over their crown on Sunday afternoon when they take on the Macarthur Rams.

Uni expected more of this season but will need to settle for their lowest league position for a number of years.

Emily Husband will want to go out a winner before she moves on to her new role as Central Coast Mariners coach.

The Rams will be hoping for a miracle at Lambert and for the Emerging Jets to secure their first win of the season.

Macarthur were unable to take the points against the Illawarra Stingrays last week and are now in a difficult position to pinch the Premiership.

Stephen Peters may decide to rest players and prepare for finals the following week in this one.

Illawarra Stingrays v Sydney Olympic (5pm)

Macedonia Park will be the venue for the clash between the Illawarra Stingrays and Sydney Olympic.

The Stingrays have finished the season strong and directly got themselves involved in the Premiership race with positive results against the leaders.

They cannot make finals football but can also prevent Olympic from having any hope by winning here.

It won’t be easy but Sydney Olympic need to win and hope results go their way elsewhere to finish in the Top Four.

A tough win last week gives them confidence going into this one having found the back of the net for the first time after going five games without scoring.

Manly United v Blacktown Spartans (5pm)

Manly United host the Blacktown Spartans at Cromer Park in a game with massive implications in the relegation battle.

After securing their survival last week, Manly will now look round off their season with victory on Sunday.

Manly enjoyed a strong start to the season but fell off the pace and recorded too many draws throughout the season that put them out of the finals race.

In a major test for the young Spartans, they will need to deal with the pressure of getting a positive result to stay up.

It would be a fine escape if they can manage to do it after being in an almost impossible situation only a few weeks ago.

Gladesville Ravens v Northern Tigers (5:30pm)

Christie Park will be the venue for the Gladesville Ravens clash against the Northern Tigers.

It’s been a good first season for the Ravens in the top tier and can be said it was a successful transition.

After an incredible start, they fell off somewhat toward the end of the campaign and missed out on finals football.

The Tigers had it all in their own hands to play finals football but went down to first placed APIA Leichhardt on Sunday.

They now need to hope that the Bulls do not win and must record all three points against the Ravens to secure finals football.

By Nikola Pozder.

We’ve reached the penultimate round in the National Premier League’s NSW Women’s competition with the Premiership and finals races both still well and truly alive. 

Football NSW Institute v NWS Spirit 

The first match of round 25 takes place at Valentine Sports Park as Football NSW Institute host NWS Spirit.

These two teams arrive at this game not being in the best form.

The Institute have one win in their last five, while Spirit have managed one victory more in the same period.

Squad inconsistencies have been the Institute’s biggest downfall and despite all the problems they have faced, have not had a poor season all things considering.

Tiana Gauci will expect a reaction from her team, in particular with finals only a few weeks away and their place guaranteed after weekend results.

A team that was stubborn defensively has shipped 10 goals in their last five games, something they’ll need to rectify soon.

Bankstown City Lions v Manly United 

Bankstown City are back at Jensen Park again this week as they host Manly United in a massive game for both teams.

Both teams are out of the hunt for finals football, but the relegation battle is still a danger that looms above both teams.

Bankstown showed great heart and character to battle for almost an hour with a player less last weekend to secure a vital point against the Northern Tigers.

It is the last time that the home team can add points to the club championship table and they will come into this one with real intent.

A victory for Manly here will secure their safety in the NPL competition for the 2024 season with one round to play.

Daisy Arrowsmith returns to her old stomping ground and wouldn’t she like to leave a mark on this fixture.

Blacktown Spartans v Bulls FC Academy – MOTR 

The match of the round takes us to Rooty Hill as the Blacktown Spartans host Bulls FC Academy on Sunday evening.

There is so much riding on the line for both these teams but for differing reasons.

The Spartans are right in the middle of a relegation battle and with some solid results of late have given themselves a fighting chance.

Victory is imperative for Milan Jovanovic’s team to keep them alive come round 26.

Jaime Gomez’s side almost took a valuable point from the competition in form side Macarthur Rams but fell very, very late.

With only two games left and their finals fate out of their hands, all the Bulls can do is take maximum points and hope for results to go their way.

Emerging Jets v Gladesville Ravens 

At Lake Macquarie on Sunday evening, the Emerging Jets take on the Gladesville Ravens.

It’s been a difficult campaign for the Jets, still winless after 24 games.

They have shown that they are able to hurt teams but have conceded too many goals to stay competitive in matches.

With their finals hopes all but extinguished, it has been a fantastic first season in the top flight for the Gladesville Ravens.

They need a miracle to qualify for finals football but a mid-week win over the Football NSW Institute and victory over the Jets on Sunday could have them in the mix come round 26 if results go their way.

Sydney University v Sydney Olympic 

At Sydney University Football Ground, Sydney University welcome Sydney Olympic.

Only one loss in their last five and Emily Husband will be asking her team where was this form earlier this season.

They would no doubt like to push for as high a league position as possible and two wins in their last two games could take them as high as seventh in the table.

It’s simple for Sydney Olympic, win the last two games and hope that results from Bulls FC Academy and the Northern Tigers go their way.

No victories in their last five and scoreless in as many games has seen them drop out of the finals places and put them on the brink of elimination.

Illawarra Stingrays v Macarthur Rams 

The Macarthur Rams travel down the south coast to take on the Illawarra Stingrays at Macedonia Park on Sunday.

Much like Sydney University, the Stingrays seemed to have left their good form too little too late.

They’ll be happy they don’t need to worry about relegation in the final two weeks having secured wins over top placed APIA Leichhardt and third placed NWS Spirit.

Incredibly, their finals hopes are still alive with a game in hand and if they can pick up three victories, they will give themselves some chance of play off football.

Having worked so hard to chase down APIA Leichhardt, the Rams almost threw it all away against Bulls FC Academy before veteran Leena Khamis came on to secure all three points in a dramatic finish to the game.

They get coach Stephen Peters back on the touchline this week but will be without the suspended Bethany Gordon.

Macarthur must win to take the Premiership race down to the wire.

Northern Tigers v APIA Leichhardt 

A massive game takes place at North Turramurra as the Northern Tigers host league leaders APIA Leichhardt.

The Northern Tigers fought hard last weekend but were unable to take all three points against a stubborn Bankstown City outfit.

They are in pole position to play finals football again and with two wins in their last two games that will be secured.

But they face one of the best teams in the competition and will need the likes of Isabel Gomez and Claudia Cholakian to step up.

APIA recovered after the incredible collapse two weekends ago against the Illawarra Stingrays, defeating Gladesville Ravens 3-1.

APIA knows that two wins in their last two games will see celebrations go deep into the night next Sunday at Lambert Park but need to take care of the job in a difficult away trip this week first.

Interestingly, these two will clash again in a couple weeks in the first ever Sapphire Cup Final.

By – Nikola Pozder