The stage is set for a thrilling finale to the NPLW season, as Calder United, FV Emerging, FC Bulleen and Heidelberg United stake their claim for a spot in next weekend's decider.
Heidelberg United v FC Bulleen Lions
The Warriors against the Lions is set to be a truly intriguing match-up to decide who makes it through to the final day of the NPLW season.
Heidelberg has been the clear second-best team in the league this season behind Calder and comes into this contest having finished the season like a house on fire. In fact, other than losses to Calder in Rounds 11 and 18 - both by the slimmest of margins - Heidelberg has been perfect in the second half of the seasons, having won every other game of the season since Round 12.
Heidelberg may be able to take advantage of Bulleen’s inability to restrict the opposition with the Lions leaking 10 goals in the past five games alone. Heidelberg boasts both the competition's Golden Boot winner, Danielle Wise and the league's second highest scorer, Steph Galea. Attackers Keely Lockhart and Grace Jale have also finished the season in fine form and no doubt will provide the Lions backline with a thorough test.
FC Bulleen started the season in stunning form, but an injury riddled midpoint of the campaign caused them to slip from the top two. Winless in their last three games, the Lions will be desperate to get back to their best.
Led by the mecurial Lia Privitelli and spearhead Alana Jancevski, the Lions are the third highest scoring team in the league in 2022, with 42 goals across 21 games. Bulleen's best is good enough to beat anyone and they have consistently held a top three position for the entire season despite being stretched at times.
Head-to-Head
The Bergers have the wood over Bulleen in this matchup, having defeated them three times this season. Most recently, last week Heidelberg downed Bulleen 3-2 at the Veneto Club to claim an early edge ahead of this week’s match.
Bulleen gained the early ascendancy when the ball found itself in the band of the net courtesy of Heidelberg defender Tijan Mckenna who failed to clear the ball from a corner.
Berger's captain Stephanie Galea tied things up only seven minutes later as she finished off some fancy footwork by Keely Lockhart in the box.
Midfielder Kathryn Vlahopoulos doubled Heidelberg’s’ lead with a well-placed strike into the top corner on the stroke of half-time after a miscued clearance by the Bulleen defence.
Alana Jancevski provided the Lions with some of a comeback before Emily Roach put an end to the game with a powerful strike in the 80th minute.
Heidelberg also defeated FC Bulleen in round six 3-0 with Keely Lockhart (27th minute), Grace Jale (49th minute), and Danielle Wise (88th minute) all hitting the scoreboard. The Bergers had a similar result in Round 14 where dynamic duo Danielle Wise and Steph Galea scored in a 2-0 win at Olympic Village.
Calder United SC V FV Emerging
Calder has been the dominant side of the NPLW in recent seasons and will fancy their chances against the FV Emerging who are determined to make a statement.
A second final in as many months is on the cards for Calder after securing the Nike F.C Cup in August. Calder finished on top of the ladder with 16 wins for the season, claiming the premiers plate. Calder head into the finals with a wave of momentum as they are undefeated in their last five matches.
Having only conceded seven goals in 21 league games, Calder's defence, led by Julia Sardo, Montana Matthews, Natasha Dakic and Alyssa Dall'Oste has all conquering throughout 2022.
One of those goals came at the hands of Emerging though, who shocked Calder 1-0 in Round 16 via a Sarah Cain goal, becoming only the second team to beat the league leaders all year.
FV Emerging ended their campaign in fourth spot thanks to a dramatic final matchday, where Silver-Bell Morris scored an 89th minute to beat Bayside and secure a finals berth. A strong end to the season saw FV Emerging finish equal on points with third placed Bulleen, having won 10 games for the year.
Goals have been flowing freely for the side, with a 6-2 demolition of South Melbourne a highlight, as was their 1-0 win over Calder United in Round 16.
FV Emerging’s biggest threat in front of goal this weekend will be captain Sarah Cain who has scored eight goals this season, while Candice Kilderry has contributed five goals over 19 matches.
Head-to-Head
Across season 2022, Calder holds a 2-1 advantage over FV Emerging, although the young guns were victorious in their last encounter.
FV Emerging shocked the ladder-leaders in round 16 with a 1-0 victory with Sarah Cain’s 19th-minute strike into the bottom corner the difference between the two sides.
In round nine it was a very different score line as Calder United smashed FV Emerging 5-0 with Alana Cerne (3), Adriana Taranto (12,87), Melissa Taranto (45), and Harriet Withers (48) all getting on the scoreboard.
The first encounter between the two sides saw Calder once again dominate the young FV Emerging outfit. Ava Groba scored the first two goals of the game before Adriana Taranto and Alana Cerne made it a 4-0 victory after halftime.