PREVIEW AND PREDICTION: Women’s Premier Division Prelim

Image courtesy of Auburn-Penrith GIANTS Media

Preliminary Final

Written by Phoebe McWilliams

UNSW Eastern Suburbs vs. Auburn-Penrith – Saturday, September 8 at 2.20pm at Blacktown International Sportspark

The story so far…

UNSW Eastern Suburbs – 2
Auburn-Penrith – 0

The two sides have met twice this season – once early on in Round 2 and once towards the end of the season in Round 16. On both occasions UNSW Eastern Suburbs were victorious.

Their Round 2 clash was a close one with the Bulldogs winning by 11-points.

In contrast, when the sides met later on in the season it was a much more one-sided affair with the Bulldogs winning by 43-points.

In their Round 16 encounter UNSW Eastern Suburbs’ Rebecca Privitelli dominated, kicking 5 goals.

Three things to consider

1. Neens the tackling machine

The Giants were missing key player Haneen Zreika in their 43-point loss to the Bulldogs in Round 16.

The inside midfielder is pivotal to the Giants structure. Her ability to win the ball at stoppages, chase down opponents and create run and carry will ensure that this match is much closer than when these two sides last met.

2. Contested vs. Uncontested

The Bulldogs are a much more uncontested side than the Giants. They enjoy time and space, hitting up targets and multiple leading options and patterns.

The Giants on the other hand would prefer lots of stoppages to make the most of their tackling pressure and surge mentality.

Who will be able to play their style of footy?

3. Experience

UNSW Eastern Suburbs have won the Women’s Premier Division competition the past two years.

Although a number of faces have changed, a number of players remain who know what it takes to not only make a Grand Final, but to win a premiership.

Auburn-Penrith on the other hand have never made a Grand Final and one can only assume there will be a few more nerves for those girls playing for the first time at this stage of the season.

Who knows, sometimes nerves are a good thing!

What the teams are saying

UNSW Eastern Suburbs – Rebecca Privitelli

“To win this week we just need to focus on what we do well as a team. We need to play to our structures, win the contested ball around the ground and make smart decisions. If we can do that, then it allows us to play the game on our terms for all four quarters.”

Auburn-Penrith – Angela Priftis

“To beat UNSW Eastern Suburbs all of us in the team need to have that unbreakable trust in each other and our game plan in order to be accountable, possess that mental strength, self belief and ruthlessness.”

Prediction

If the Bulldogs are able to win clearances and get on top early, their experience will ensure they make it to the Grand Final for the third year running.

UNSW Eastern Suburbs by 18 points

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