Article: Jeremy Magan 
Photo: Anthony Caffery Photography

Canberra Olympic FC vs Tuggeranong United FC | Saturday, 12^th September – 3pm @ O’Connor Enclosed 1
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The last round of the season in NPLW starts with a crucial game for Canberra Olympic. Andrew Woodman’s squad can secure a spot in the Finals series with a win at home against Tuggeranong regardless of the results on Sunday. The most improved team of the season will again be without key players Ash Sykes and Angelica Pahina, injured. That did not prevent them from almost causing an upset against Belconnen last Saturday, a game Woodman considered the best his team has played all season, despite the result. They will fancy a win in O’Connor if they can show the same intensity and teamwork and if Nicole Begg and Lily Dawson can find the back of the net early on.

Tuggeranong United has constantly improved throughout the season. Their visit last weekend in Deakin (defeat 4-0) could have been a different story if Maddie Magee’s shot had ended in the net rather than on the post in the first five minutes. Stanbury’s ability to time the last pass perfectly has been the main threat since she joined the Tuggies midseason, and she will endeavour to shine on her last NPLW appearance of 2020. Michael Aldred’s squad has shown that they can be a problem even for the top teams and a result against a potential finalist would be the best way to close the curtain on the short season.

Canberra Croatia FC vs Gungahlin United FC | Sunday, 13^th September – 2:30pm @ Deakin Stadium
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Now ensured to finish the season at the top of the ladder, Canberra Croatia has one last challenge in 2020: end with a perfect record. After winning their first seven games, the best way for Nik Brozinic and his squad to go in the Finals with maximum confidence and that fear element for the other teams would be to finish the season with 24 points. Their offensive firepower, defensive solidity, dominant midfield and recent history (four wins and one draw in their last five games against Gungahlin) are all reasons to believe the feat is achievable. What a way for the Deakin side to make history a week after securing the first premiership of their young history!

Hosting Gungahlin United will be no walk in the park, though. The game could well have been decisive if the Gunners had not been surprised by Woden Weston two weeks ago. Diego Iglesias’ team bounced back against Wagga on Sunday and will need all the momentum they can get before facing Belconnen next week in the semi-Finals. A result in Deakin would give Gungahlin that extra boost of confidence before fighting for the title. The battle of the midfield, Gill-Berkeley-Hagen vs De Marco-Corbett-Aitolu or Miro will be the key to what could be a preview to the Grand Final.

Wagga City Wanderers FC vs Woden Weston FC | Sunday, 13^th September – 3pm @ Gissing Oval
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The Wanderers face each other in Wagga for a promising game between two teams who have all season brought the fight to the top teams. The home side is yet to get a result against Woden Weston in NPLW after two defeats in their first season (2-3, 0-5). The ability for Vaccari, Castle and Lockley to be more lethal up front could be the key to this game. Regardless of the result, Wagga City will be a side to reckon with next season!

Woden Weston had a BYE to celebrate their win against Gungahlin and will want to finish the season on a high note at the Gissing Oval. Goalkeeper Cristina Esposito revealed that the training weeks of the season would be intense, Mark Boyd using them as a trial for next year. That intensity is what the visitors will need on Sunday when they face a team they share tactical principles with: hard and high press and physicality. Both Wanderers have been hard to beat all season and that last game will for sure be entertaining.

Canberra United Academy vs Belconnen United FC | Sunday, 13^th September – 4.20pm @ Hawker Football Centre
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Canberra United Academy will be particularly attentive to the game between Olympic and Tuggeranong on Saturday. A loss for Olympic would make the Finals reachable for the Academy, on condition that they beat Belconnen. Both teams are playing on their own turf in Hawker. CUA has found their efficiency in front of goals back last Sunday against Monaro, but playing the best defence of the league is another ball game. Taylor-Young, Hunt and co. will need to be lethal in the last 30 meters to bring any danger in the Blue Devils’ box.

Ahmed Ugool said it in an interview with Matt Nicoletti this week that his objective is for Belconnen to take one match at a time, and focus on winning this Sunday. A victory against CUA would put his team in the best conditions before the semi-finals against Gungahlin. Without Forner, injured against Olympic last week, the Blue Devils will put the depth of their squad to good use, and have a real opportunity to remind Gungahlin and Canberra Croatia that they are the defending champions.