Article: Jeremy Magan 

Belconnen United 4 (Woodman 16’, 28’, Clarke 39’, 54’ (p)) defeated Gungahlin United 1 (Pennyfield 7’)

Belconnen will play their tenth straight NPLW Grand Final after the Blue Devils came back from an early goal to defeat Gungahlin United 4-1 at Deakin Stadium. The Gunners dominated the first 10 minutes of the game, and their domination was rewarded by a fantastic goal by Erika Pennyfield. Aitolu's perfectly timed ball behind the defence found the winger, who shot from the corner of the box to find the opposite top corner! Diego Iglesias talked about being clinical in the last 30 meters earlier this week and Pennyfield certainly put it into practice. The early goal sprung Belconnen United into action, and from there on the Blue Devils would be on a mission. The response did not take long, as Nicole Jalocha's cut-back found Katie Woodman, who beat Kailey Tonini from up close. Belconnen kept pushing to turn their fate around and Woodman got her second goal 10 minutes later. Thornton, certainly the best player on the field on Saturday, found Rasschaert on the right-wing. The Canberra United player's cross perfectly matched Woodman's run in the box and the header left Tonini no chance. The keeper had to get the ball in her nets once more before half time. Brown's corner at the 39th minutes wasn't dealt with properly by the defence and Clarke pounced to tap the ball in. 

The second half highlighted the experience of the Blue Devils and they got another break at 53rd minute. Patterson misjudged a cross and took down Bobbin in the box, as the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Clarke's unerring finish put Belconnen up 4-1, albut ending Gungahlin's hopes for a comeback. At 4-1, the defending champions used the whole width of the pitch to stretch and tire out the Gunners, as Diego Iglesias’ side failed to threaten Giovinazzo. Belconnen United held unto their lead, ensuring they will compete for the 10^th Championship of their history.

Canberra Croatia 4 (Palombi 5’, 7’, 67’, Gill 20’) defeated Canberra Olympic 1 (Begg 43’)

Canberra Croatia keep their perfect run alive in NPLW this season after a dominant win 4-1 against Canberra Olympic in the second semi-final of the day, with Brittany Palombi's name all over the scoresheet. Without an injured Ash Sykes, Andrew Woodman chose a settled lineup, trusting inform keeper Abigail Stanton despite the usual starter Angelica Pahina being back from injury.  Nik Brozinic's squad did not waste any time, their most prolific scorer Brittany Palombi finding the net twice inside the first 10 minutes. Grace Gill, in the middle of four Olympic defenders in the box, found Palombi on her left. The striker's drop of the shoulder worked on Farrar, and her shot was too powerful for Stanton who could only push it in her own net. Two minutes later, a long ball in the box that Farrar could not head away fell in front of the NPLW top scorer, who accepted the gift and volleyed the ball into the side netting. The Deakin forward pair combined again at the 20th minute, Palombi recovering the ball and finding Gill in space. Canberra Croatia's captain entered the box and from her left foot, imitated her teammate to find the same bottom corner. Olympic's timid responses would not bring much danger in front of Hinson's goals, instead, Canberra Croatia kept pushing in that first half. The game's fourth goal came before half time as Nicole Begg, the most dangerous player in her squad as expected, scored at the end of a fantastic 60-metre run. From her own half, she resisted Berkeley's challenges and kept running the ball until the edge of the box. She dragged the ball to her left foot, leaving Fensom stuck, and adjusted Hinson from close range.

Back from the break, Nik Brozinic's players used all their experience to control the pace of the game and contain Olympic's intensity. Their patience paid off 20 minutes later when Palombi found the opportunity to complete her hat trick. At the edge of the box, she dribbled past Hemmings and Farrar to score a copy and paste of her second goal of the day.  Down 4-1, the task was too hard for Andrew Woodman's team. Nicole Begg could have been awarded a penalty on two occasions, but the referee deemed the first contact regular, while the second, close to the edge of the box, got her a free-kick instead. Canberra Croatia earned a spot for their sixth straight Grand Final thanks to another show of strength and experience, and the clinical finishing by Brittany Palombi. They will face their arch-nemesis Belconnen United, who won five of their last six encounters on the biggest stage.