Belconnen United v Canberra United Academy – 5pm Saturday – McKellar Park

Belconnen United will be looking to finish the regular season on a high on Saturday night when they meet the Academy at McKellar Park. It has been another stellar season for the Blue Devils’, and they can use this match as a chance to rest up ahead of finding out their finals opponent on Sunday. A hard-fought win last week against Woden-Weston came with the help of a strong last five minutes, but Antoni Jagarinec will hope his side can wrap things up a bit earlier this week against a side who can run all day. A win here would be the perfect finish before they are presented with their Premiers’ trophy after the game and a great lead-in to the finals series.

For the Academy, this match represents a chance to prove themselves against the best in the competition one last time this season. Their clashes with United have proved tough encounters so far but also good experience for the young side. If United rest players this week the Academy may look to take their chance against an understrength side, but with Belconnen competing across all grades, they may find it hard to play their younger players up.

 

Tuggeranong United v Monaro Panthers – Sunday 12:45pm – Kambah 2-1

A win last weekend broke a tough patch for Tuggeranong United and gave them momentum heading into the final weekend of the season. This clash against struggling Monaro gives them a great chance to end the season on a strong note after what has been an up and down season. Meg McLaughlin marked a return to form in the win over Olympic with a dominant performance including a hat-trick, and will no doubt prove a handful again this time out. 

For the Panthers, they got off to a blistering start against Gungahlin last weekend but against struggled at the back, eventually shipping six goals to one of the strongest attacks in the league. Despite a steady improvement throughout the season they are still a side prone to errors, which other teams have continually pounced on. Like their opponent’s though they also have an in-form forward, with Zoe Szeremet quietly enjoying a very productive season. She is responsible for 11 of their 21 goals so far this campaign, including a brace last weekend, and if Monaro are to finish the season on a strong performance then she will be key to it.

 

Gungahlin United v Canberra FC – Sunday 2pm – Kaleen Enclosed

The only two sides able to change finals positions will clash on Sunday afternoon as Gungahlin United and Canberra FC battle for second place at Kaleen. United prepared themselves for this clash with strong wins over Tuggeranong, the Academy and Monaro heading into this match, and Darby Whiteley in particular is on fire with braces in two of those three outings. United have struggled against Canberra FC this season though, going down on both occasions, and conceding four goals in both matches. The positive for them though is that it is not a must-win match for the hosts, with a two-point lead over their opposition ensuring that a draw will be enough to secure a second-chance shot in the finals.

For the visitors, a win here would usurp United by one point, but they must overcome their own patchy recent form. They surrendered a half-time lead two weeks ago to lose 4-3 in a thriller to Woden-Weston, before rebounding on the synthetic against the Academy last week. Against a side that are adept at playing the ball on the floor they are more suited, and they will look to pressure their opponents on the ball with a good press. A tough clash with Belconnen awaits them if they win this although they will get a second chance, but Canberra FC showed last year they can defeat this Blue Devils’ side when it comes to finals. With a lot still riding on it this clash is sure to entertain,  and expect strong squads from both coaches.

 

Canberra Olympic v Woden-Weston – Sunday 2pm – O’Connor Enclosed

Woden-Weston will look to build momentum heading into their first finals campaign when they face Canberra Olympic in the final round of the regular season. The Wanderers succumbed to Belconnen United last week despite a strong performance, and will be without Celina Gayer after she was dismissed with just 11 minutes gone in the match. Against Olympic they should have an easier time than the hard-pressing Belconnen side, but this Diego Elmoudawar must make sure his side escapes this matchup injury and suspension free ahead of a sudden-death finals meeting with either Gungahlin United or Canberra FC.

For Olympic, this match is just the final step in what has been a tough inaugural season in the PS4 NPLW. The side has improved throughout but have struggled against most sides, and will be aiming to give a good account of themselves in their final hit out. Olympic have already conceded eight goals to the Wanderers in their two matches this season though so will need to shore up at the back if they want to be a chance in this clash. Mistakes at the back and poor decision making cost them five goals last week against Tuggeranong, while too often the final ball fails to make the impact it needs up the other end.