Two out of the six matches have been announced to take place in NSW’s top tier Women’s competition this Sunday.

Manly United v Macarthur Rams

Only two of four teams who played over the weekend and both recorded victories.

Manly United welcomes the Macarthur Rams to Cromer Park on Sunday.

The Northern Beaches side showed some strength and signalled their intent for the 2020 campaign with a resounding victory.

Japanese import Naoko Wada looks a fine pickup by Chris Williams’ side, complementing the young side very well.

It wasn’t routine for the Rams on Sunday but they came away with the three points which is most important.

They’ll be up against a different machine this weekend and will need to improve.

Northern Tigers v Sydney University

It’s the grand final rematch at Lake Turramurra Rec Area on Sunday as the Northern Tigers host Sydney Uni.

Neither side played in week one of the competition and fittingly open each other’s seasons.

Jason Eagar’s girls will have a target on their back this year and there will be no flying under the radar. Revenge will be on the cards for the Tigers after last season’s grand final defeat.

Uni will look to get their going where it ended last year, victory over the Tigers.

A few minimal changes to Alex Epakis’ team, still the same, dangerous outfit at hand.

NWS Koalas v Illawarra Stingrays Postponed

Blacktown Spartans v Bankstown City Postponed

Emerging Jets v APIA Leichhardt Postponed

Sydney Olympic v FNSW Institute Postponed

After a long and grueling pre season, more than 6 months since the last ball was kicked in the top tier of women’s football, we finally return this weekend with action from the Women’s NPL NSW competition.

Unfortunately, for six teams the season start will be delayed with three games postponed in round one.

Bankstown City v Manly United

Two teams that didn’t make finals football in 2019 clash in this one at Jensen Park as Bankstown City welcome Manly United.

It was the first time after four consecutive finals appearances Chris Williams’ team didn’t make the playoffs.

A year more experienced with some quality additions to the team, Manly could be a real dark horse in the 2020 campaign.

Danny Abboud took the helm at Jensen Park in the second half of the campaign last year but couldn’t steer the Lions to a top five finish.

Bankstown will need to ensure they get off to a good start to the season as it’s what cost them last year.

Macarthur Rams v Emerging Jets

At Lynwood Park on Sunday afternoon, the Macarthur Rams host the Emerging Jets.

There was no finals footy for the Rams last year and new coach Troy Spink will have the task of returning the Rams to where they believe their place is.

With some key departures, it will be somewhat of a rebuilding year for the Rams, but with the experienced heads of Renee Rollason, Kylie Ledbrook and Leena Khamis, the transition should be made easier.

The Jets are a young side and would’ve definitely benefited from a season playing in the women’s top tier.

Ashley Wilson will be sure to command her side to play good football and improve as the season moves forward.

Sydney University v North West Sydney Koalas

The Champions are back in action in round one as they face the North West Sydney Koalas at Sydney Uni Football Ground.

There really isn’t much to it.

Alex Epakis’ team is favourites once more for the title and they’ll need to prove their worth starting Sunday.

With minimal movement in and out of the squad, Uni will be just as tough as last season and could prove a very difficult task for the Koalas.

Another club with a coaching change, this time Gerry Gomez taking over the mantle at the Koalas.

The Koalas aim will be to push for a finals spot but Gomez’s task will be made difficult with the departure of some key players from last season’s squad.

Illawarra Stingrays v Northern Tigers – Postponed

FNSW Institute v Blacktown Spartans – Postponed

APIA Leichhardt v Sydney Olympic – Postponed

By: Nikola Pozder, NPL NSW Women’s Writer

It comes down to two on Sunday afternoon at Valentine Sports Park (5:45pm) as Sydney University and the Northern Tigers do battle in the NPL NSW Women’s final.

What a season for both teams, making it all the way to the big dance after months of preparation, hard work and battle.

Sydney University 

The premiers will come into this one as favourites with Alex Eapkis having no problem with his team having that tag.

Uni deservedly took out first place being the most consistent team in the competition throughout the whole season.

They’ve beaten the Tigers twice already this campaign, drawing the other so the Students will be confident they can get the job done.

Last year’s heartbreaking extra time loss to the Rams will be in the back of their minds heading into Sunday but they’ll look to set the record straight and complete the double.

Who to watch 

Cortnee Vine is definitely one of the most talented strikers in the country, possessing everything a ‘number nine’ needs to be the best at their role.

Rachel Soutar is another. The dead ball specialist will be dangerous with anything around the box, or even a little further, something the Tigers know all too well.

And of course that centre half pairing of Tori Tumeth and Taren King. They’ve been the rock in front of Coutney Newbon this campaign and will undoubtedly be up for one final fight this season.

Northern Tigers 

If Uni has had a fine season, then what Jason Eagar and his Tigers have done in 2019 is near remarkable.

They finished in ninth place last season, more than 20 points away from finals football, to be within a couple rounds of taking out the premiership this campaign.

The turnaround has been great to watch unfold and the underdogs go into Sunday’s game with absolutely nothing to lose against Uni.

With the second best defence in the competition (second to Uni), they’ll know that they must focus for the full 90 minutes plus to have any chance of lifting silverware.

Who to watch 

We’ll start from the back and the trio of Eliza Campbell, Servet Uzunlar and Ellie Brush. Thy are the heart and soul of this Tigers team and their leadership will be key on Sunday.

Malia Steinmetz has been one of the players of the season and an unsung hero for the team from North Turramurra. Her hard work and engines in midfield are important to how the Tigers machine rolls on.

Not many can look beyond the most potent striker in the league, Daisy Arrowsmith. Playing her first major grand final, the youngster will look to find the back of the net like she has already 19 times this season.

TALE OF THE TAPE –

Round 8 @North Turramurra Rec Area – Northern Tigers 0-0 Sydney University

Round 19 @Sydney Uni Football Ground – Sydney University 2-0 Northern Tigers

Semi Final @Arlington Oval – Sydney University 2-0 Northern Tigers

By – Nikola Pozder, NPL NSW Women’s Writer

One team has booked their grand final place while the other spot is up for grabs this weekend.

Sydney Olympic (2nd) v Northern Tigers (3rd)

These two will clash again for the second time in three weeks on Sunday afternoon at Jensen Park.

When they met at Arlington Oval, neither side reached their best but a late Daisy Arrowsmith goal gave the Tigers the victory.

It gave the Tigers the chance to book their place in the grand final but Sydney University were too good for them on Sunday.

Jason Eagar won’t be too worried about that result and will be preparing his team for this week’s do or die clash.

A potential worry for Eagar could be Ellie Brush with the defender going down late in the game but still managed to hold out until the end.

Olympic showed nerves of steal to come through their knockout clash against the Illawarra Stingrays.

Teresa Polias was at the top of her game and if she puts on a similar performance, Olympic will be close to a grand final place.

All three clashes between the two this season have been very tight affairs and something similar is expected on Sunday.

Round 10 – Sydney Olympic 0-2 Northern Tigers

Round 21 – Northern Tigers 0-1 Sydney Olympic

Finals –   Sydney Olympic 0-1 Northern Tigers

By – Nikola Pozder, NPL NSW Women’s Writer