Match of the Round
Charlestown Azzurri v Newcastle Olympic
Lisle Carr Oval, Sunday 4pm
Charlestown Azzurri coach Heath Whyte says there is no place for complacency for his side as they prepare to face Newcastle Olympic at Lisle Carr Oval on Sunday afternoon.
It will be a battle between second-placed Blues and third-placed Olympic with three points between the sides, each of whom are desperate to remain in premiership contention.
Azzurri enters the contest full of confidence after a big 3-2 win over Maitland FC in the Women’s League Cup final.
These two sides have gone head-to-head three times in 2025 in the NPLW NNSW, HMRI Charity Shield and Women’s League Cup competitions, with the Blues coming out on top each time.
But Whyte said that past results would not affect their mentality for this weekend’s clash.
“We will approach each game as it comes. You can’t allow complacency. Past results are not a guarantee of the future,” Whyte said.
“They [Olympic] are a good quality side. They have good attacking options, defensively are very tight and transition well.
“We were very good in the Women’s League Cup final but that performance is my expectation. That is the minimum standard.
‘We have proven on many occasions that we can play football but we can not allow complacency. There is no place for complacency, that is our standard.”
The Blues sit seven points behind league leaders Maitland but have two games in hand. Whyte said that every point counts in the club's quest to be crowned premiers.
“Every game is important,” Whyte said.
“You have some quality sides and the table will get tighter towards the back end of the season as there will be some unusual and unexpected results.
“Every point will be important.”
The Blues could be without Brianna Williams as she waits to be cleared from a concussion and Madi Gallegos as she recovers from illness.
Olympic will be desperate to get one over on the reigning champions and return to the winner’s circle.
Atkins said his side is eager to get back out on the pitch after an extended break due to the bye and wet weather and secure some much-needed points to stay in premiership contention.
“Everyone is keen to get back out on the park. I am lucky with the group of players that I have that they are still focused on what we want to do as a football team, regardless of matches being played,” Atkins said.
“Everyone has lost of bit of momentum in the break. It is like a fresh start in some respects for most teams.
“We are refreshed.
“We are trying not to even think that it could be off. We are preparing to play.
“We know that we failed to execute a few things last time we went up against Azzurri but we are confident that we can turn that around.
“We have been fine-tuning things.
“We will look to rectify in some areas and hopefully we can go ahead with the game plan.
“Picking up points will be crucial as it is getting a little bit tighter at the top.
“It is really important to get those three points and build some momentum.”
Adamstown Rosebud JFC v New Lambton FC
Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility, Friday 8pm
New Lambton FC coach Aaron Stedman says that the return of his A-League stars will help his team lift to another level when they face Adamstown Rosebud JFC at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility on Friday night.
The Golden Eagles have been flying high this season, as they sit fourth on the table with 10 points.
But Stedman believes the sky's the limit with the injection of Newcastle Jets players Lauren Allan, Cass Davis and Libby Copus-Brown.
“It is exciting to have them on board. We have had a few training sessions all together and already you can tell the players are buzzing and are excited,” Stedman said.
“It is a really good and positive thing for the team.
“I think they will definitely help us get to another level, not just those players but the whole squad. Playing with those types of players in our team environment is great.
“The girls are really keen to play.”
But Stedman said that their boost in roster won’t make them complacent for this weekend’s clash.
“Adamstown have never shied away from a battle, and I don’t think they will this weekend,” Stedman said.
“We have had some really good battles against them and they are a great team. They are always keen to play every single match and I am sure they will be eager to play us again.”
New Lambton will be without Brianna Trappett (away) but will have everyone else available for selection.
Adamstown will enter the contest with mixed emotions after they conceded a late goal to share the points with league leaders Maitland FC in a 2-2 draw.
But coach Martin Slade was pleased with the performance and believed they would continue to challenge teams as the season progressed.
They sit sixth on the table with five points, level with Lake Macquarie City FC who are fifth and trail the top four by five points.
Adamstown will be determined to take points from the match to move up the table and stay in the hunt for the finals.
They will be without midfielder Evie Horgan as she was served a two-match suspension for violent conduct.
Lake Macquarie City FC v Broadmeadow Magic
Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility, Saturday 5pm
Two teams will be eager to return to winning ways when Lake Macquarie City FC welcomes Broadmeadow Magic to Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility on Saturday afternoon.
It has been weeks since either side has taken to the pitch due to wet weather and will be desperate to get back out on the park this weekend.
Magic will be raring to get themselves off the bottom of the table after adding multiple new recruits to their roster. They sit at the foot of the table with three points after just one win back in round two.
The last time these two teams met in the competition in round five, Lakes demolished Magic 8-1 away from home.
That was Lakes' first and only win of the season so far and would hope that they can repeat that performance again in front of a home crowd on Saturday.
The Roosters should take confidence from securing draws against two of the top four sides Maitland FC and Newcastle Olympic this season and hope that they can continue to build as they search for their second win.
They sit fifth on the table with five points and trail New Lambton FC in fourth position by five points.
Lakes will have the addition of Newcastle Jets attacker Milan Hammond to help boost their efforts up front and help them get the job done.
Maitland FC – Bye
