Grand Final
Charlestown Azzurri v Maitland FC
Darling Street Oval, Saturday 2pm
Maitland FC coach Joe Wright says anyone that doubts his side’s attacking threats can do so at their own risk on Saturday when they face Charlestown Azzurri in the NPL Women’s NNSW grand final.
The Magpies are preparing for their first grand final appearance against reigning champions Azzurri at Darling Street Oval.
They finished the season second and made it to the grand final the hard way after both their matches in the final series went to extra-time.
Across the 240 minutes Maitland played they were unable to find the back of the net in regular time having not scored in their last two matches before the preliminary final.
But their drought came to an end last Sunday after Marry Ntsweng netted the winner for her side.
“You have these ebbs and flows sometimes. Obviously, the commentary made it very well documented how long it had been since we had a goal,” Wright said.
“The fact that we scored and we won the game, I think people that doubt our scoring ability can do so at their own risk.”
Maitland will feature in both finals on Saturday as their reserve grade side face Newcastle Olympic.
Wright said the club featuring in both finals adds extra excitement to the weekend.
“All reports are that the girls are excited about the week ahead, and I think it adds that little bit of extra hype amongst the group, knowing that the reserve grade girls are in there as well,” Wright said.
“We do everything as a senior playing group. We train together; we've done everything together right from day one. The players that aren't in the first grade squad are an extension of that squad.
“The biggest thing for me will be focusing on the girls enjoying the experience. So, for me the experience starts at training.
“Our last week of training in preparation for the grand final it's a unique experience that not everybody gets to experience. So, it's all about enjoying the achievement of getting to the grand final and then when we get there, hopefully that nervousness will be more excitement.”
The grand final will be the sixth time Maitland and Azzurri go head-to-head in 2025 with the Blues securing the win three out of the five times.
Wright expects another tight tussle but said his side will stick to what they know on the day.
“The fact that we've seen each other quite a few times now, I don't think there'll be too much that will change,” Wright said.
“I think that the way that we've approached the game, especially in the quarter final, I think a few tweaks and changes there were effective.
“So, we'll stick to what we think will get the job done.”
Charlestown have valuable finals experience, but coach Heath Whyte doesn’t believe it will be the deciding factor in the grand final.
“Experience accounts for a lot, that's no question but both teams are putting a lot of experience on the park,” Whyte said.
“Even our younger players have played in some pretty big games, the championship game last year, and also some big games this year.
“Experience does account for a lot, but I think when you come to these games, these big moments, if it's tight, it comes down to who wants it more. That's the piece that I think I've always called heart, first with the head, then with the heart.
“I think if it's tight, it'll come down to more heart than experience.”
Azzurri will enter the weekend fresh after securing their place in the championship match in the first weekend of finals, something Whyte believed his side needed.
“We needed it, but we were even a bit cautious last night at training. We had a good session, but really definitely cautious with some players and a few of those niggles,” Whyte said.
“You don't want a niggle to become a tweak, and then a tweak to become a week or two off this time of the season. We've been cautious.
“We really needed that week of respite, physically and mentally. Last year, we needed momentum, and that played to our advantage but this year, we definitely needed that space.”
Whyte said he will be wary of Maitland despite encountering them five times already this season.
“You've always got to be wary. If nothing changes, nothing changes. You've always got to be wary of a change in your opposition,” Whyte said.
“I think both teams definitely need to play to their strengths, and we'll be focused on their strengths, and we'll certainly be looking to engage strategy to try and nullify those strengths.”
Star-striker Melina Ayres has missed Azzurri’s last three matches due to injury and Whyte was unable to confirm if she would make her return on Saturday.
“She [Melina Ayres] is questionable, she didn't get through training last night,” Whyte said.
“I think Mel would dearly love to play, and the girls and I would dearly love her to be a part of it.
“She's been a huge part of who we are at Azzurri for the last couple of years, and we'd really like her to enjoy that moment on the pitch. But if not, she'll be a fantastic, continued addition to the coaching team.
“We'll make some final assessments later in the week for Melina and give her every opportunity to be able to take the pitch in some capacity if she can, and if it also suits our strategy.”
In reserve grade, the grand final will take place between Newcastle Olympic and Maitland FC at 11am.
Find all the match day information HERE.
