Grand Final
Maitland FC v New Lambton FC
Darling Street Oval, Saturday 2pm
New Lambton FC coach Craig Atkins knows discipline and fighting until the end will be key when the Golden Eagles take on premiers Maitland FC at Darling Street Oval on Saturday in the 2026 Cardiff Motor Group NPL Women’s NNSW grand final.
The Golden Eagles have already shown they can beat Maitland this season, becoming the only side to defeat the Magpies in 2026 with a 2-1 win at Alder Park in round 16.
But they will need to do it again on the biggest stage, with Saturday marking New Lambton’s first grand final under the National Premier League banner and the club’s first since claiming the premiership and championship double in 2019 in the Herald Women’s Premier League.
They have had to do it the hard way after going down 5-1 to Maitland in the major semi-final before coming from 2-0 behind to defeat Broadmeadow Magic 6-3 in the preliminary final.
Saturday will be Maitland and New Lambton’s fifth time going head-to-head this season and while the Magpies have gotten the better of them in three matches, it’s the one win for New Lambton that sticks out.
Now Atkins knows what his side needs to do to replicate that victory.
“I think one of the big things that we need to fix for this weekend is a fast start, you can't give Maitland any leeway at any time,” Atkins said.
“Discipline's key against Maitland. That's what we did really well all across the park when we did have that win against them.
“We'll be really working on fine-tuning those small things so that we can put ourselves in a really good stead to get the ball forward and be attacking quite quickly.
“I'm sure the girls will be fired up to have another crack at them. They're a quality side but what we showed last week is that we're going to fight.
“We're going to fight all the way till that final whistle.”
Atkins admitted his side did not have the best start against Magic in their 6-3 win but the positive was their ability to bring the game back.
“That wasn't our best start, and we just had to tidy a few things up which weren't working for us. I think I felt about 15 minutes to go in that first half, we adjusted those things and sort of settled ourselves into the game,” Atkins said.
“But you never want to be 2-0 down after 30 minutes either. So full credit to the girls at half-time, we were confident.
“We knew we could turn it around and it didn't take long. I think it was less than 10 minutes into the second half where we were in front.”
New Lambton’s resident shot-stopper missed the final two rounds and major semi-final due to injury but returned to the side in the preliminary final. Now Atkins looks forward to welcoming Janali Haynes back for the grand final.
“Janali's been in goals all year for first grade and she's done a fantastic job for us. The girls feel comfortable with her between the sticks,” Atkins said.
“It was good to get that game under her belt last week in preparation for the grand final again against Maitland.
“Hopefully that game's given her that confidence back and obviously a bit of match fitness and that as well.”
For Atkins, winning his first grand final since 2022 with many of the same players would be a fitting reward for the work his side has put in throughout the season.
“It would mean the world, I've just seen firsthand how hard they've worked,” Atkins said.
“They've always been open to feedback, and they ask a lot of questions. They've put in the hard yards.
“I'd love nothing better than to see them get the job done on Saturday afternoon.”
While New Lambton return to their first grand final in seven years, Maitland return for their second consecutive final.
The Magpies fell short 1-0 to Charlestown Azzurri last year and now, after securing the HMRI Charity Shield, Women’s State Cup and premiership, coach Ben Horgan knows where the game will be won.
“I just think performing in the key moments at either end, whether it's taking the chances that you get, which I imagine will be harder to come by than in regular-season games and making sure that you're switched on at the right moments,” Horgan said.
“You need to make sure you don't allow any easy opportunities to your opponent. It's just being clever and taking those moments in and around the penalty area.”
Despite going through the regular season with just one defeat, Horgan does not underestimate New Lambton, knowing they can hurt Maitland at any moment.
“We know they've got quality and if we switch off for a moment, they will hurt us. We've had good results in some of those games, but Saturday's a different game,” Horgan said.
“We've got to be switched on and we can't afford to slip up because they have Tara [Andrews] and Lauren [Allan] plus Caitlin Pickett scored a great goal on the weekend.
“They've got players that can really hurt you if you switch off for even a moment. I think we've known that all the way along and we've managed to in three of the four games, remain alert, remain prepared and minimise the number of chances they have to hurt us.
“But we've got to do it again because they're clinical in front of goal.”
Maitland did not struggle to find the back of the net in 2026, scoring 76 goals across the season. But four out of their five goals in their major semi-final win came from long-range efforts.
Horgan knows his side cannot rely on that again this weekend and will need a range of plans in order to avoid becoming predictable.
“We've always tried to have a range of ways of scoring goals. So they [the goals in the major semi-final] happened to come that way in the previous game, but that was just how it panned out on the day,” Horgan said.
“We obviously have wingers with the ability to get in behind and play good-quality crosses and cutbacks from those areas. We've got players that can play in between lines and create chances, little combinations and quick movements or break lines. We need to have a range of options.
“I think because they're [New Lambton] solid defensively, we can't just have one game plan, otherwise we become predictable.
“So that's how the last game panned out but it wasn't that we particularly set out to score that way. That's just how the game went on the day.”
Horgan is in his first season with the Magpies and could not speak highly enough of the side he has coached all season, with the chance to secure their fourth trophy of the year now just 90 minutes away.
“I've loved this year. It's an unbelievable group of players to work with, not just because they're good footballers but it's a great club. They're good people, it's a great community to be a part of,” Horgan said.
“I feel privileged to have been asked to come on board and I've obviously inherited a strong squad. We brought in some good additions and I've loved every moment of it.
“We just want to make sure now that we've finished the season on a positive note with another good performance.”
In reserve grade Maitland FC and New Lambton FC will go head-to-head for the championship at 11am.
Find all match day information HERE.