Minor Semi-Final
Lambton Jaffas v Newcastle Olympic
Arthur Edden Oval, Saturday 2pm
Lambton Jaffas coach Shane Pryce says he is expecting an enthralling encounter against Newcastle Olympic in the minor semi-final on Saturday.
Lambton were pipped 2-1 in last week’s qualifying final against Broadmeadow Magic but will not have to wait long for their shot at redemption, as they prepare to put it all on the line against Newcastle Olympic.
The minor semi-final will see both sides looking to continue their journey for this year’s NPL Men’s NNSW competition, with the loser eliminated.
Jaffas were valiant in their qualifying final against Broadmeadow Magic but could come to rue letting the result slip, especially after defeating Damian Zane’s men twice already during the regular season.
The defeat continues a tough stretch of results for Jaffas and they cannot afford to continue that trend for threat of being bundled out of the finals in straight sets. The Jaffas are winless in three matches and have only scored one goal from open play since their 9-0 dismantling of Adamstown Rosebud in round 22.
Jaffas will have to turn the tide quickly in the lead up to facing Newcastle Olympic, a side they failed to defeat in rounds seven and 18, with both fixtures ending as 1-1 draws.
Jaffas are likely to welcome back Luke Remington from a hamstring issue, a timely inclusion following Matt Hoole’s likely season-ending groin injury. There is also some doubt surrounding midfielder Reece Papas after he left the field early in their qualifying final. Jaffas will also be without Bren Hammel after he received a two-match suspension following his red card last weekend.
Newcastle Olympic will come into this weekend with all the momentum, with their disposal of Charlestown Azzurri in last weekend's elimination final their third win on the trot.
It took Olympic 120 minutes to overcome Azzurri, with substitutes Vince Unie and Rhys Cooper combining to find the winner and extend their season for at least one more week.
Last weekend’s strenuous encounter could prove to be an obstacle to overcome for Olympic, but they could also confirm their status as contenders for the championship with a second elimination victory in as many weeks.
Pryce said his side always got up for clashes against Newcastle Olympic and now they would need to find the killer blow if they are to continue their season.
“This year and the year before it has always been a close game between Jaffas and Olympic,” Pryce said.
“Obviously they will be up for it and this is the last chance for both teams. It will be a cracker of a game and I think you are going to see plenty of fireworks in the match, just because the fans are so passionate. It will be a good contest. I know that no-one will die wondering about this match.
“We are not playing at our best at the moment but we are still creating chances to win games. It’s just the middle parts of the matches where we aren’t responsible enough for our [tasks at hand].”
Major Semi-Final
Maitland FC v Broadmeadow Magic
Cooks Square Park, Sunday 2pm
Maitland coach Michael Bolch says his side is well prepared for the intensity of finals following a string of matches against quality opponents to finish their season.
Maitland overcame a tough run home in the regular season to come away with the premiership. Bolch says those match ups have given the Magpies plenty of confidence in the lead up to the major semi-final against Broadmeadow Magic this weekend.
“Realistically we have been playing finals football for the last four weeks,” Bolch said.
“The run home was Magic, Olympic, Edgeworth and then the Jaffas. So it is like we have been playing finals for a while now.”
It seems Maitland will not be resting on their laurels after taking home their first premiership since 2019 and will have the opportunity to book themselves a place in the grand final with victory against Broadmeadow.
Maitland will welcome Tyran Cousins back to the squad. Magic will be without Keanu Moore following his late send-off against Lambton Jaffas but Jake Harris is expected to make his return following his absence last weekend.
Broadmeadow Magic finished the season just a point behind Maitland in second place, narrowly missing out on taking home their first premiership since 2013.
Magic have collected six victories from their last seven outings coming into the major semi-final, last tasting defeat in round 18 courtesy of the Magpies.
Magic blew the Magpies off the park with a stellar performance in their first meeting in round seven 3-1. But Maitland returned the favour with a last gasp winner at Magic Park to win 3-2 in round 18.
Broadmeadow and Maitland also met in an unforgettable Australia Cup clash earlier in the season, where Magic sensationally eliminated the Magpies from the competition with two goals in injury time to steal a place in the round of 32.
Magic coach Damian Zane said his side were not getting ahead of themselves and they would have to focus on stopping Maitland’s attacking weapons if Magic are to collect a third win from Cooks Square Park this season.
“We have won there this year but no doubt there is a tough game ahead,” Zane said.
“We will believe, like we do every week, that we can get the job done. [It’s easier said than done] but controlling Braedyn Crowley and James Thompson, no one in this league has a guy that has scored 27 goals. That’s probably more than half the teams in the competition. The ball has to get to [Crowley] first but the other guy that is with him [Thompson] has scored 15 goals and probably assisted just as many.
“The first game we won against Maitland, we managed to limit Thompson’s and Crowley’s damage and in the cup game we did similar and we managed to win those games. Our last game [in round 18] Thompson got two goals and they beat us. That is going to be the challenge but at the same time I know if we do that, we have a few goals in us.”
Bolch said his side were determined to complete the premiership-championship double but knew it would be a challenge against a talented Magic side.
“[Magic] is always the same, Damian Zane sets his side up really well,” Bolch says.
“Magic is very quick, especially in transition across the whole field. We just need to come in with the mindset we had four weeks ago when we beat them. Magic have beaten us twice this season if you include the Australia Cup so I think we have improved a fair bit since that first match.
“We learnt a lot from our first defeat against Magic this season, we have now adjusted our shape a bit better to keep up with them. We failed a bit to control their top two with Jacob Dowse and Bailey Wells being really good that day. But [we have improved that], our defence has been really good and they probably had their best game against the Jaffas.
“I have always thought that whoever wins the premiership is the best team all season but in saying that, we have been in the last two grand finals and lost. So I think there is that burning desire amongst the group to finally win one but we have to get there first. That first step begins this weekend.”