Minor Semi-Final
Charlestown Azzurri v Broadmeadow Magic
Lisle Carr Oval, Saturday 4.40pm
Broadmeadow Magic coach Jason Konjarski says that his side is up for the challenge in their do-or-die minor semi-final against Charlestown Azzurri at Lisle Carr Oval on Saturday.
There will be no second chances for the team that loses this weekend, with the winner progressing to the preliminary final for a spot in the grand final.
There has not been too much to separate these two sides this season, with two draws and one win to Azzurri.
Broadmeadow has gone through a challenging patch on and off the pitch in recent weeks, with a change of head coach and a poor run of results.
But they turned their fortunes around in time to save their finals hopes, with back-to-back wins against Newcastle Olympic (5-2) and Mid Coast FC (8-0).
Konjarski said that his side felt like the underdogs heading into the finals but had the belief that they could go all the way.
“We want to finish off the season as strong as possible,” Konjarski said.
“We have the belief that we can go all the way and we are up for the challenge.
“There is no pressure on us to do anything.
“The belief within the group is there. We made some small tweaks to the way we play and the girls have bought in.
“We have shown that we belong there. We enjoy knock-out football.
“The players deserve all the credit and have turned things around themselves.”
In a big blow for Broadmeadow, their star striker Lilly-Jane Babic is in doubt for the weekend after suffering a leg/hip injury at training on Wednesday night.
Konjarski said that Babic would be a significant loss but had some quality depth he could pull from to replace her.
“It is going to be a tough one if we need to replace her, but we have the strength and quality to pull from if we need to,” Konjarski said.
“We only have 25 players across two grades who are both playing finals.
“It is a good thing in some ways having a small squad as everyone knows what they are doing and that they are all going to play minutes. Everyone plays a part.”
Magic’s interim head coach said that they had done their homework on their opposition this weekend and would be prepared for a tough battle.
“We have done a bit of work on Azzurri. KP [Kirstyn Pearce] their captain is like a coach on the field which is a big thing for them to have,” Konjarski said.
“They have dangerous players all over the park. We need to focus on shutting them down.
“We have utilised some videos and focused on how we can potentially attack their weaknesses and where we can get enjoyment in the game.”
Azzurri enters the contest also after mixed results, with two wins and three losses in their last five matches.
It will be important for Charlestown to get themselves back on track and return to their winning ways in their do-or-die match.
Azzurri coach Heath Whyte was confident that his side could bounce back this weekend but expected it would be a battle until the final whistle between the two sides.
“We are feeling good and are looking forward to the match,” Whyte said.
“We have been playing good football. I think we dominated against New Lambton but we lost it defensively. That is something that we have been concentrating on this week.
“[Magic] are dangerous across all aspects of the park.
“But we are one of the top attacking teams in the competition. We know we can also be dangerous as we have players who can finish. Magic will have to make sure they are up to their best to keep us out.
“We must be on point defensively with our shape and structure organised otherwise Magic will hurt us.
“We want to win this game.”
Whyte believed that experience would play a key role in Saturday’s clash, with the senior players in his side leading the younger players in the squad.
“Experience is hugely important. The senior players including [Pearce] and Gema [Simon] have done a good job to get our girls organised on the paddock.
“Magic is a quality side and also has a lot of experience.”
The Blues could be without Sarah Halvorsen, as she has a clash in schedule with her AFL endeavours but Whyte was hopeful that she would be able to feature in the match.
Major Semi-Final
Maitland FC v Newcastle Olympic
Cooks Square Park, Sunday 4.40pm
Maitland FC coach Keelan Hamilton believes that most of the pressure is off as they head into their major semi-final against Newcastle Olympic at Cooks Square Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Magpies secured the premiership for the first time in club history last week and now look to go for the double and be crowned champions.
The showdown between the first and second-placed sides will decide which team first books their ticket to the grand final.
Hamilton said that Maitland had ticked off their main goal for the season which was to win the premiership but said they wanted to make it to the decider.
“The pressure has been a bit lifted after winning the premiership, anything else is a bonus,” Hamilton said.
“We valued the premiership quite highly and we have gotten over that hurdle.
“We know the grand final day is a big one and we would love to be a part of it. We know the club hasn’t made a grand final or won one in the women’s space.
“We are looking to get there and will be trying our best to make it.
“We are a side that wants to compete and we want to be the best version of ourselves. We are happy and motivated.”
But Hamilton acknowledged that it would not be an easy task going up against another strong outfit.
“We are not overlooking Olympic. We know what a tough challenge it will be,” Hamilton said.
“Games against Olympic are some of the ones we most enjoy.
“Craig has done a really good job. They have good players across the park and play some good football.
“I think it should be a good contest.”
The Magpies’ coach said that knowing his side will get a second chance if they lose this weekend has its pros and cons.
“To win would make things easier a little bit as you get the week off in what has been a long season. It is an advantage that we have to be focused on. Getting a rest in is important.”
“But I think it does change things knowing it isn’t a do-or-die elimination.”
Olympic will be looking to settle the score with Maitland, losing out on the premiership to them on goal difference, with only six goals separating them.
They will hope that they have goalkeeper Isabella Whitton back after an extended period on the sideline with a hand injury.
Olympic’s goalkeeper resulted in defender Emily Frost stepping up in between the posts in their final match of the regular season.
They will enter the clash also in mixed form, with three wins, one draw and one loss in their last five matches.
Craig Atkins’ side has not been able to defeat the premiers yet in the competition in 2024 so will be desperate to disrupt their finals campaign away from home.
Many of Olympic’s' squad have finals experience which coach Atkins will hope they can use to help them get over the line on Sunday.
