Wollongong United FC vs Albion Park White Eagles @Crehan Park 5pm Kick-off
In a highly anticipated clash between two sides that have firmly established their premiership credentials Albion Park White Eagles take on Wollongong United in the Premier League 1 Grand Final this weekend.
Across the regular season and knockout competition the two teams have played on three occasions.
Albion Park have the edge with two wins and on both occasions kept a clean sheet, whilst Wollongong United took all three points early in the season with a 1-0 win.
Albion Park finished second in the regular season and faced minor premiers Wollongong Olympic in the first week of the finals. After a marathon match which was level after extra time, Albion Park got the job done 4-3 on penalties to book their place in the Grand Final.
For United a fourth place finish in the regular season, was followed by a 1-0 win over Cringila in the finals. In the Wollongong derby with Olympic United triumphed 3-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at the end of extra time, to advance to the big dance.
Albion Park will be the fresher of the two coming into this one after success that has earnt them time off.
The opposite is the case for United having to do things the hard way to book their place.
Both teams have tasted success under the pressure of penalty shootouts so neither carries an advantage should this be required to split them.
Ultimately, this one points to two evenly matched teams with it all to play for and likely to be decided by the smallest of margins.
Premier League 1 Second Grade Grand Final Preview
Port Kembla vs Coniston @ Crehan Park 12pm Kick Off
A season-long rivalry reaches its conclusion this weekend as Port Kembla and Coniston meet with the Premier League 1 Second Grade premiership on the line.
The two sides have produced contrasting results throughout the campaign, with Coniston handing Port Kembla their only defeat of the season, a 5-2 victory back in March.
Port Kembla have otherwise enjoyed a remarkably consistent campaign, finishing as Second Grade League Champions before securing their Grand Final place with a 2-0 victory over Coniston in Week Two of the finals.
Daniel Cunzolo broke the deadlock 11 minutes after half-time before Jordan Hondroudakis converted from the penalty spot in the 75th minute to seal their progression.
For Coniston, the road to the Grand Final has been considerably more demanding.
Following their defeat to Port Kembla, they faced Wollongong United in a must-win preliminary final and delivered when it mattered most.
After a goalless opening half, Coniston took the lead through an own goal before United’s Adam Vrtkovski levelled the contest.
Ty Emerton ultimately proved the difference, striking in the 69th minute as Coniston held on for a 2-1 victory.
With the season series split between the two sides, little separates them heading into the decider.
Port Kembla will enter with the benefit of additional rest and the confidence of their finals victory, while Coniston bring momentum and the knowledge they have already beaten their opponents convincingly this season.
Now, with 90 minutes standing between them and premiership glory, both sides will be determined to leave nothing on the pitch when it matters most.
Premier League 1 Youth Grade Grand Final Preview
Cringila vs Wollongong United @ Crehan Park 2:30pm Kick Off
The two best teams from the home and away season collide, with everything on the line and a title up for grabs.
Wollongong have had a campaign to remember experiencing a single loss in the regular season and will be heavy favourites going into this clash.
Having already beaten Cringilla twice this season 2-1 in June before a convincing 4-1 triumph in August, United claimed the Minor Premiership and earned a valuable week off in the opening round of the finals.
However, Cringilla will draw significant confidence from their finals campaign so far, defeating Bulli in a grinding 1-0 battle in the first week of the finals.
Their reward for this was an opportunity to face off with United. Despite this challenge Cringilla produced an outstanding performance winning 3-1, forcing United to do battle with Bulli, where they won 2-0 to set up a mouthwatering clash in the Grand Final.
For Cringilla Axl Hornby has shown his class throughout the finals series and will be a threat United will need to nullify. In contrast Wollongong’s wide man Cohen Martin has been clinical in big games, shutting him down will be vital for Cringilla.
With both sides evenly matched in ability and skill, a Grand Final often comes down to who can dig deepest, handle the pressure and seize the moment when it matters most. The culmination of an entire season relies on 90 minutes between two determined sides who are one moment away from cementing themselves in Youth Grade folklore.
Preview by Wyatt Toland
