Match of the Round
Newcastle Olympic v Broadmeadow Magic
Darling Street Oval, Sunday 1pm
Newcastle Olympic coach Jacob Jones says his side must improve their game management if they want to keep their finals hopes alive when they host Broadmeadow Magic in their derby clash at Darling Street Oval on Sunday afternoon.
Olympic has not played a league match in almost five weeks due to washouts, a bye and the Northern NSW Women's State Cup.
They sit sixth on the table after losing their last five league matches and have not collected a point since a 3-0 win over Charlestown Azzurri at the end of April.
Jones believes his young squad has shown it can compete with the teams above it but says poor game management has proved costly throughout the season.
"I think game management is the biggest thing for us. We've got a really young squad and at times that affects our ability to manage matches," Jones said.
"You can point to a couple of games this season. The Adamstown game is one where we should never lose from the position we were in [leading 2-0 at half-time]. Then against Lakes, with about 20 seconds left in the first half, we gave away a free kick into the box.
"They're the little moments that can cost you. We just need to be a bit more mature and manage those important periods of games better.
"If we can do that, I genuinely think we're capable of matching it with the teams above us."
Olympic remains mathematically in the finals race, sitting three points behind fourth-placed Broadmeadow. While a win on Sunday would not lift Olympic into the top four due to goal difference, it would keep the side firmly in contention heading into the final rounds.
Jones said the rivalry always added extra significance, but with both teams chasing finals football, there was even more at stake.
"We want to beat Magic every time we play them. It's always a massive game," Jones said.
"We're back at home as well, which is great because we haven't played there for a little while. It'll be nice to get back in front of our supporters.
"On top of that, we're both fighting for a finals spot. The bottom half of the table is really tight, so it's a great opportunity for us to close the gap towards the top four. It'll be a big contest."
Broadmeadow moved into fourth after round 17 following a 0-0 draw with Lake Macquarie City FC and after Adamstown Rosebud JFC's match was postponed.
Magic now sit one point clear of Adamstown and know another three points this weekend would strengthen its grip on a finals berth.
Coach Jason Konjarski said his side was pleased to be in control of its own destiny.
"At the end of the day, we're in the driver's seat now. We're in control of our own destiny and we're not relying on other results. That's the pleasing thing," Konjarski said.
"If we take care of our own business, starting with three points on Sunday, we'll give ourselves the best possible chance.
"Being in control of our own fate is exactly where we want to be."
Broadmeadow will be chasing a clean sweep of derby victories in 2026 after winning 3-1 in round four before recording a dominant 5-0 victory in round 11.
Despite those results, Konjarski said previous meetings would have little bearing on Sunday's contest.
"The last performance was a dominant 5-0 win but that feels like a long time ago now. Since then they've had a coaching change, with Jacob coming in and doing a few new things. We've had a bit of change ourselves as well," Konjarski said.
"It'll be interesting to see how the game unfolds, but without being arrogant, I definitely see us as favourites.
"These are the games we need to win if we're going to play finals football. We need to beat the teams below us on the ladder."
With only four rounds remaining, Sunday's derby could prove pivotal in the race for the final top four position. A Broadmeadow victory would strengthen its hold on fourth, while an Olympic win would tighten the race heading into the closing weeks of the season.
Charlestown Azzurri v Adamstown Rosebud JFC
Lisle Carr Oval, Saturday 2pm
Adamstown Rosebud JFC coach Martin Slade knows three points are vital when his side travels to Lisle Carr Oval to face Charlestown Azzurri on Saturday afternoon.
The Buds were unable to play in round 17 after their clash with New Lambton FC was postponed due to wet weather. The washout saw Adamstown slip to fifth on the table, one point outside the top four.
With Broadmeadow Magic now occupying fourth place, Adamstown cannot afford to drop points as they look to keep their finals hopes alive, while Charlestown and Newcastle Olympic also remain in the hunt.
"This weekend is really important. If we can get the three points, it keeps the pressure on the teams around us," Slade said.
"Every game is crucial at this stage of the season. Olympic are still chasing a finals spot as well, so they'll be doing everything they can in their games too.
"We just have to focus on taking care of our own result this weekend. Unfortunately, with the way the fixture has fallen, we're now relying a little more on other results because we don't play Magic again.
"Hopefully we can get the win and then see if a few other results go our way as well."
Despite the pressure surrounding the finals race, Slade said his side's focus would remain on executing their game plan from the opening whistle.
"We'll go out there and try to execute our game plan as well as we can," Slade said.
"We want to start positively, get on the front foot early, and put them under as much pressure as possible.
"If we can control the game from the outset, that'll give us the best chance of getting the result we're after."
Charlestown will be looking to respond after a 6-0 defeat to Maitland FC last weekend.
Despite the scoreline, there were encouraging signs for Azzurri, who held Maitland to 3-0 until the 81st minute after conceding in just the second minute before the visitors added three late goals.
The defeat dropped Charlestown to the bottom of the table, level on points with Newcastle Olympic, who have a game in hand. But with four rounds remaining, Azzurri remains mathematically in the race for the top four and knows a victory on Saturday would keep those hopes alive.
With Danielle Bartels serving the final match of her suspension, Abbey Maletto is expected to retain her place in goal after an impressive senior debut against Maitland, where she grew into the contest despite the result.
With just four rounds remaining, Saturday's clash shapes as a must-win encounter for both sides. Adamstown is chasing a return to the top four, while Charlestown needs a victory to keep its slim finals hopes alive heading into the final month of the season.
Lake Macquarie City FC v Maitland FC
Macquarie Field, Sunday 4pm
Lake Macquarie City FC will be aiming to go one step further when they welcome Maitland FC to Macquarie Field on Sunday afternoon.
The Roosters became the first side to take points off Maitland in 2026 when they held the league leaders to a 1-1 draw in round 11.
Emily Loader-Weston gave Lake Macquarie the lead just before half-time before Maitland found an equaliser in the 81st minute to salvage a point.
With coach Gabrielle Blanch returning to the sideline following her suspension, the Roosters will be eager to turn that draw into a victory.
The round 11 meeting highlighted Lake Macquarie's defensive resilience, and with two clean sheets and just one goal conceded across its last three matches, the Roosters will be confident they can again frustrate the competition's most potent attack.
But Lakes will need to be at its defensive best against a Maitland side fresh from a 6-0 victory over Charlestown Azzurri in round 17.
The Magpies have scored 22 goals across their last five matches and boast the league's highest-scoring attack, with threats all over the pitch.
The Roosters will need to remain disciplined for the full 90 minutes if they are to contain one of the competition's most dangerous attacking outfits.
Maitland also underlined its defensive quality last weekend, keeping Charlestown scoreless despite absorbing sustained pressure during the final 20 minutes.
Having already dropped points to Lake Macquarie earlier this season, the Magpies will be determined to avoid another slip up as they continue their pursuit of the premiership.
Bye - New Lambton FC