GRAND FINAL
MAITLAND FC V LAMBTON JAFFAS
NO.2 SPORTSGROUND, SUNDAY 2PM
Maitland coach Michael Bolch says his side have had the ideal preparation during the lead-up to their third successive grand final appearance as they prepare to face off against Lambton Jaffas for the NPL Men’s NNSW championship on Sunday.
Maitland progressed to the grand final following a convincing 4-1 win over Broadmeadow in the major semi-final a fortnight ago. Lambton took the long route to the decider following their defeat to Broadmeadow in the qualifying final. Jaffas secured their grand final place with victories over Newcastle Olympic in the minor semi-final and redemption against Magic in the preliminary final.
Bolch said Maitland’s journey to the grand final put them in good stead to finally secure the championship that has eluded the Magpies following defeats in the 2019 and 2020 deciders against Edgeworth.
“I don’t think the week off has hurt us,” Bolch said.
“The last couple of grand finals we have gone into the games battered and the last one we came in from fifth spot and we had to play four elimination finals to get there.
“We were beaten up by the time we got there. We are just waiting for Sunday to come around now.”
Maitland secured the premiership following a 3-1 defeat of Lambton in the final round of the regular season and they will now look to repeat that performance to complete the premiership-championship double.
Questions still linger over star Maitland attacker James Thompson’s fitness, with the striker missing from their major semi-final triumph against Broadmeadow Magic due to an ankle injury. Thompson has contributed 14 goals in Maitland’s premiership-winning season and Bolch said he was far from a certainty to line up for the grand final.
“[Thompson] is at the physiotherapist every second day at the moment. The physiotherapist tells me he has a 60-40 chance to play at the moment,” Bolch said.
“We will give Thompson every chance and we will have [his ankle] strapped up and give him a fitness test. But he is confident he will be playing.”
Lambton Jaffas produced a professional performance against Broadmeadow last weekend to advance to the grand final, with Shane Pryce’s men skipping out to a two-goal lead before a late Magic fightback that ultimately fell short.
Jaffas arrive at the decider following a third-placed finish having only conceded 18 goals in the regular season, the second fewest in the competition. Maitland conceded almost double with 32.
Jaffas have had a strenuous campaign due to the torrential rain throughout the year causing significant disruption to their regular season playing schedule. But Pryce said the experience his side possessed gave him great confidence to take home the championship.
“I’ve probably got 600 [to] 700 games of experience combined with five or six players,” Pryce said.
“Players like Josh Piddington have played in six grand finals. [James and Luke] Virgili have played in grand finals. We let the players enjoy the week, let them soak it in. Then we will ramp it up towards that final day but the technical things we have to try and get right.
“The players have great motivation at the moment. We will be in for the fight.”
Jaffas have had to play all three weeks of the finals series to make the grand final, losing Matt Hoole to a serious groin injury along the way. But striker Ben Hay is expected to take his place after leaving the victory against Magic early due to a knee complaint.
Jaffas will welcome back Bren Hammel following a two-match suspension and Michael Kantarovski will also be available after missing last weekend’s win against Magic.
Jaffas and Maitland have exchanged 3-1 victories during the regular season. Lambton took the three points in round 12 at Cooks Square Park, before Bolch’s men returned the favour in the re-scheduled round one clash played on the final day of the campaign.
Pryce paid the ultimate compliment to their grand final opponents, as the Jaffas look to come away with the championship crown for the first time since 2017.
“[Maitland] are the best side in the competition,” Pryce said.
“Leading goal scorers, very very tough opponents and play for the full 90 minutes. Maitland don't stop and they are always in the game. You look at their season and they create a lot of opportunities and with the clinical finishing that they possess they can blow a game away early if you are not on board with your tactics.
“We have to be smart at the start. We can’t just turn up and see how it pans out but Maitland is the team to beat. [Bolch] has got his side to a point where they are working as a team and they are clinical in creating chances, so it is up to us to stop the juggernaut.”
Bolch was more direct in his expectations for what his side need to do to come away with the championship, as the Magpies look to secure their maiden grand final victory.
“Score goals,” Bolch said.
“We didn’t score in the last two grand finals. I think at the moment we have scored 64 goals this year so we just have to rely on our shapes, principles and everything we have been doing. We have been playing good attacking football this year so if everyone turns up and doesn’t get overawed by the occasion and play to our potential, I think the rest takes care of itself.
“[Jaffas] have plenty of experience. If you count the premierships from the players that have come over from Magic, they have experience in big matches and they will be up for it. Jaffas are on a bit of a roll, they have won two elimination finals against Olympic and Magic but we are in some pretty good form too with wins against Edgeworth, Jaffas and Magic.”