South Coast Womens Finals Previews
Womens Division One
Qualifying Final: Wollongong Lions Red v Northern District Tigers
Location: Hollymount Park
The major preliminary final of the Women’s Division One competition promises to be an action-filled affair between two of the premier teams. This season Wollongong Lions Red and the Northern Districts Tigers have been significantly stronger than the rest of the competition and this match is a clash of the titans. The minor premiers in the Lions finished the competition undefeated with six losses and a draw resulting in a very healthy percentage of 662.90. Opposing them is the record of six wins, one loss and a draw that is held by the Tigers with a very impressive percentage of 935.19. Contributing to the incredible percentages boasted by both of these teams is their outstanding defensive record. The Lions have conceded only 62 points for the season whilst the Tigers have conceded 54. Since points seem to come at a premium against both these sides it will be essential for the forwards to make the most of their opportunities.
These sides met twice during the regular season and both were low-scoring affairs with an eight-all draw in round five and a 15 (2.3.) to 12 (1.6.) victory to the Lions. History suggests that this will be a game that goes down to the wire and will be a match that you don’t want to miss!
Elimination Final: Wollongong Bulldogs v Wollongong Lions Black
Location: Hollymount Park
Similar to the major preliminary final in the Women’s Division One this final will be a close affair. The Wollongong Bulldogs and the Wollongong Lions Black are very evenly matched across all key statistics. One win separates the two sides with the Bulldogs boasting a record of three wins and three losses whilst the Lion’s record is two wins and four losses. In terms of percentages, the Bulldogs are at 73.18 and the Lions a greater 89.27. The Lions have only recorded wins against teams outside of the top four this year which will be cause for concern heading into this final series, set shot efficiency is not an issue for this side so if they can get some extended possession in the forward fifty they’ll feel good about their chances. By contrast, the Bulldogs have been more effective in getting shots away so far this season, though their accuracy has let them down on a few occasions. Increased efficiency in the forward fifty would certainly bode well for them as they look to make their mark on this finals series.
So far this season these teams have met twice with the Bulldogs coming away victors on both occasions, which is a trend that the Lions will be looking to interrupt when the two sides meet at Hollymount this weekend.
Womens Premier Division
Qualifying Final: Wollongong Lions v Wollongong Bulldogs
Location: North Dalton Park
The first match of this finals series looks to be a case of David vs Goliath. The Wollongong Lions will come in as heavy favourites on the back of a record of eight wins and a loss through the regular season with an incredible 850.77 percentage. These statistics make the Lions look close to unbeatable, but the Bulldogs are no strangers to performing under pressure. They fought off the Figtree Saints to hold onto the second position on the ladder and will be hoping to maintain their form into their finals games. The Bulldogs will come into this match with five wins and three losses from their regular season games with all three losses coming at the hands of the Lions. A percentage of 198.35 was more than enough to catapult them into third place on the ladder, whether or not it is good enough to beat the Lions this weekend is a question that can only be answered out on the park. To do so will not be an easy task. The Lions have been excelling on both ends of the park, on seven occasions from nine games played the Lions have restricted their opposition to a single-digit scoreline whilst also scoring ten or more goals on three of those occasions. The Bulldogs however have exhibited similar strengths throughout the regular season, restricting teams to single-digit scores on five occasions and twice scoring more than ten goals in the match. This looks to be a battle between two juggernauts of the Women’s Premier Division competition and it will be imperative that both sides start strong and prevent their opponents from running away with the match.
Elimination Final: Figtree Saints v Kiama Power
Location: North Dalton Park
This finals clash will see the Figtree saints trying to bounce back after just missing out on the second position on the ladder based on percentage as they take on the 4th placed Kiama side. Figtree will go into this game with a regular season record of five wins and three losses and a percentage of 176.80. They also have a claim to the exclusive title of the only team to have beaten the Lions this season. Meanwhile, the Kiama Power will meet the Saints having won two games in the regular season alongside their five losses for a percentage of 69.23. Past meetings between these two sides have resulted in victories for the Saints which will give them confidence heading into this match, but finals football always has the potential to deliver drama and the Power will be hoping that the Saints give into pressure and expectation and open the door for an upset.
