2022 NPL NNSW Grand Final Program

GRAND FINAL 2022

CHAIR MESSAGE

On behalf of Northern NSW Football’s Board of Directors, I would like to welcome everyone to National Park No.2 Sportsground for the 2022 National Premier Leagues Northern NSW first grade grand finals.

It has been a historic season, with the inaugural NPL Women’s NNSW campaign a huge success. We are delighted to present the NPL Men’s NNSW and NPL Women’s NNSW first grade grand finals as a double header for the first time, creating a showpiece event for our elite men’s and women’s players.

Congratulations to the clubs, players and team officials who have qualified for the biggest day of the season.

Northern NSW Football acknowledges the generous support of NBN Television, the official media partner of NPL Men’s NNSW, and the Newcastle Herald, the official media partner of the NPL Women’s NNSW.

Thank you to our hosts, Newcastle City Council, for their support and dedication to providing a qualify facility for today’s grand finals.

Congratulations to all the participants who contributed to a fantastic NPL NNSW season. I wish the best of luck to all the teams in today’s grand finals.

Thank you to all the passionate supporters in attendance today for your support of the NPL NNSW competitions and football across northern NSW.

Helene O’Neill Chair – Northern NSW Football

CEO MESSAGE

I would like to join our Chair in extending a warm welcome to everyone attending the 2022 NPL NNSW first grade grand finals at National Park No.2 Sportsground.

Thank you to Lisa Bradley and the team at Newcastle City Council for providing access to this outstanding facility for today’s grand finals.

Congratulations to the clubs, players and team officials who have qualified for today’s fixtures. I hope that all participants thoroughly enjoy their experience and that the best teams on the day are victorious.

I would like to recognise the continued support of NBN Television and the Newcastle Herald for their ongoing promotion of our weekly fixtures through advertising and outstanding coverage on television, in print and online.

Well done to today’s match officials, who should be proud of their appointment to the biggest fixtures of the season. Northern NSW Football’s sincere appreciation is extended to every referee who officiated throughout 2022. Your contribution is invaluable.

NNSWF’s sincere gratitude is extended to all club volunteers for their commitment and dedication throughout what has been another challenging season. After two seasons badly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, persistent wet weather left us dealing with a number of logistical challenges. As well as thanking our volunteers, I’d also like to thank the NNSWF Football Operations team for their outstanding efforts to complete our seasons.

I look forward to witnessing two compelling matches which are contested fairly and supported respectfully.

David Eland

CEO – Northern NSW Football

GRAND FINAL

2022

MEN’S FIRST GRADE LINE UPS

VS

Shirt No. Name

1

2

Paul Bitz

Tyrell Paulson

3 Will McFarlane

4

6

96

12

Zach Thomas

Adam Blunden

Jacob Bailey

Charles Cox

11 Flynn Goodman

14 Braedyn Crowley 10 James Thompson 13 Joe Melmeth 9 Tyran Cousins 17

Alex Read 18 Lachlan Webb 27 Taylor Pate 95 Joel Clissold 44 Connor Butchard 24 Tarell Chisunga 20

Dylan Walker

Head Coach: Michael Bolch

Assistant Coach: Nick Webb

Assistant Coach: Gavin Wolfe

Team Manager: Ray Rutten Manager: Simon Rutherford Physio: Liam Penglaze

Shirt No.

Name

HEAD TO HEAD

Round 1

Lambton FC 1-3 Maitland FC at Arthur Edden Oval

Round 12

Maitland FC 1-3 Lambton Jaffas at Cooks Square Park

1

Ben Kennedy 2

Ben Hay 3

Kai Bradley 4

Nathan Verity 5 Luke Virgili 6 Reece Papadimitrios 7 Andrew Pawiak 8

Cameron Howard 9 Kale Bradbery 10 Alex Hilton 11 Luke Remington 13

Josh Piddington 14 Finn Parris 15 Bren Hammel 17 Thomas Waller 19

James Virgili 20 Issac Quinn 23 Mitch Rooke

Head Coach: Shane Pryce

Assistant Coach: Robert Naumov

Team Manager: Luke Abdilla Physio: Amanda Xuereb

Match Officials

Referee: Mark Carter | Assistant Referees: Connor Markovich and Oliver Wilcox

Fourth Official: Andrew Higgins

ROAD TO THE GRAND FINAL

Maitland FC

Major Semi-Final – Maitland FC 4-1 Broadmeadow Magic at Cooks Square Park

Lambton Jaffas

Qualifying Final – Broadmeadow Magic 2-1 Lambton Jaffas at Magic Park

Minor Semi-Final – Lambton Jaffas 2-0 Newcastle Olympic at Arthur Edden Oval

Preliminary Final – Broadmeadow Magic 1-2 Lambton Jaffas at Magic Park

GRAND FINAL 2022

2

2022

WOMEN’S FIRST GRADE LINE UPS

VS

Shirt No. Name

1

2

Shirt No.

2

Ally Boertje

Airlie Davis

3 Kristy Martin

5 Zoe Horgan

6 Cassidy Davis

7 Tara Pender

8 Elodie Dagg

9 Tara Andrews

10 Alannah Russell

11 Marion Dunbabin

12 Georgia Cook

13 Lauren Allan 28 Sophia Laurie 29 Adriana Konjarski

17 Sophie Cook 24 Amy Gosling

18 Mia Cook

30 Georgia Cooksey

Head Coach: Craig Atkins

Assistant Coach: Dave Boertje

Team Manager: Fran Davis

Physio: Ritesh Baral

Technical Director: Ryan Swinkles

NPLW Coordinator: Kellie Christian

3

Name

Zoe Burnley

Jemma House

4 Sophie O’Brien

5

Alesha Clifford

7 Georgia Little

8 Jess Evans 9 Brooke Summers 10

Laura Hall 11

Paige Kingston-Hogg 12 Danielle Nicol 13 Tori Johnson 14 Keely Gawthrop 16

Jiorjia Hogg 17 Chloe Hinde 19 Jade McAtamney 20 Keea Parrish 21

Natalie Wiseman 23 Georgia Amess 41 Sienna Williams

Head Coach: Paul DeVitis

Assistant Coach: Neil Owens

Team Manager: Matilda Wendtman

Physio: Bek Hawkins

Other: Bodhi Deamer

Other: Ben Boyd Other: Con Theacos

Match Officials

Referee: Alison Macready | Assistant Referees: Lucy Hungerford and Ayden Cutmore

Fourth Official: Adam Neville

HEAD TO HEAD

Round 3

Newcastle Olympic 1-5 Warners Bay FC at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility

Round 10

Warners Bay FC 2-4 Newcastle Olympic at John Street Oval

Round 17

Newcastle Olympic 2-3 Warners Bay FC at Darling Street Oval

ROAD TO THE GRAND FINAL

Warners Bay FC

Major Semi-Final – Warners Bay FC 6-1 Broadmeadow Magic at John Street Oval

Newcastle Olympic

Minor Semi-Final – Charlestown Azzurri 2-3 Newcastle Olympic at John Street Oval

Preliminary Final – Broadmeadow Magic 1-3 Newcastle Olympic at Magic Park

NPL MEN’S NNSW

GRAND FINAL PREVIEW

MAITLAND CHASE ELUSIVE CHAMPIONSHIP BUT EXPERIENCED LAMBTON STAND IN THE WAY

James Paras

Maitland coach Michael Bolch says his side have had the ideal preparation during the lead-up to their third successive grand final appearance as they prepare to face off against Lambton Jaffas for the NPL Men’s NNSW championship on Sunday.

Maitland progressed to the grand final following a convincing 4-1 win over Broadmeadow in the major semi-final a fortnight ago. Lambton took the long route to the decider following their defeat to Broadmeadow in the qualifying final. Jaffas secured their grand final place with victories over Newcastle Olympic in the minor semi-final and redemption against Magic in the preliminary final.

Bolch said Maitland’s journey to the grand final put them in good stead to finally secure the championship that has eluded the Magpies following defeats in the 2019 and 2020 deciders against Edgeworth.

“I don’t think the week off has hurt us,” Bolch said.

“The last couple of grand finals we have gone into the games battered and the last one we came in from fifth spot and we had to play four elimination finals to get there.

“We were beaten up by the time we got there. We are just waiting for Sunday to come around now.”

Maitland secured the premiership following a 3-1 defeat of Lambton in the final round of the regular season and they will now look to repeat that performance to complete the premiershipchampionship double.

Questions still linger over star Maitland attacker James Thompson’s fitness, with the striker missing from their major semi-final triumph against Broadmeadow Magic due to an ankle injury. Thompson has contributed 14 goals in Maitland’s

premiership-winning season and Bolch said he was far from a certainty to line up for the grand final.

“[Thompson] is at the physiotherapist every second day at the moment. The physiotherapist tells me he has a 60-40 chance to play at the moment,” Bolch said.

“We will give Thompson every chance and we will have [his ankle] strapped up and give him a fitness test. But he is confident he will be playing.”

Lambton Jaffas produced a professional performance against Broadmeadow last weekend to advance to the grand final, with Shane Pryce’s men skipping out to a two-goal lead before a late Magic fightback that ultimately fell short.

Jaffas arrive at the decider following a third-placed finish having only conceded 18 goals in the regular season, the second fewest in the competition. Maitland conceded almost double with 32.

Jaffas have had a strenuous campaign due to the torrential rain throughout the year causing significant disruption to their regular season playing schedule. But Pryce said the experience his side possessed gave him great confidence to take home the championship.

“I’ve probably got 600 [to] 700 games of experience combined with five or six players,” Pryce said.

“Players like Josh Piddington have played in six grand finals. [James and Luke] Virgili have played in grand finals. We let the players enjoy the week, let them soak it in. Then we will ramp it up towards that final day but the technical things we have to try and get right.

“The players have great motivation at the moment. We will be in for the fight.”

Jaffas have had to play all three weeks of the finals series to make the grand final, losing Matt Hoole to a serious groin injury along the way. But striker Ben Hay is expected to take his place after leaving the victory against Magic early due to a knee complaint.

Jaffas will welcome back Bren Hammel following a two-match suspension and Michael Kantarovski will also be available after missing last weekend’s win against Magic.

Jaffas and Maitland have exchanged 3-1 victories during the regular season. Lambton took the three points in round 12 at Cooks Square Park, before Bolch’s men returned the favour in the re-scheduled round one clash played on the final day of the campaign.

Pryce paid the ultimate compliment to their grand final opponents, as the Jaffas look to come away with the championship crown for the first time since 2017.

“[Maitland] are the best side in the competition,” Pryce said.

“Leading goal scorers, very very tough opponents and play for the full 90 minutes. Maitland don’t stop and they are always in the game. You look at their season and they create a lot of opportunities and with the clinical finishing that they possess they can blow a game away early if you are not on board with your tactics.

“We have to be smart at the start. We can’t just turn up and see how it pans out but Maitland is the team to beat. [Bolch] has got his side to a point where they are working as a team and they are clinical in creating chances, so it is up to us to stop the juggernaut.”

Bolch was more direct in his expectations for what his side need to do to come away with the championship, as the Magpies look to secure their maiden grand final victory.

“Score goals,” Bolch said.

“We didn’t score in the last two grand finals. I think at the moment we have scored 64 goals this year so we just have to rely on our shapes, principles and everything we have been doing. We have been playing good attacking football this year so if everyone turns up and doesn’t get overawed by the occasion and play to our potential, I think the rest takes care of itself.

“[Jaffas] have plenty of experience. If you count the premierships from the players that have come over from Magic, they have experience in big matches and they will be up for it. Jaffas are on a bit of a roll, they have won two elimination finals against Olympic and Magic but we are in some pretty good form too with wins against Edgeworth, Jaffas and Magic.”

NPL WOMEN’S NNSW

GRAND FINAL PREVIEW

FRESH PANTHERS OUT TO COMPLETE DOUBLE AS OLYMPIC CHASE ANOTHER CHAMPIONSHIP

Grace Clegg

Warners Bay coach Craig Atkins says his side will be wary of a dangerous Newcastle Olympic when they meet in the inaugural NPL Women’s NNSW grand final on Sunday.

Northern NSW Football’s top tier women’s competition transitioned to National Premier Leagues status this season, with the first decider to be played as a double header alongside the NPL Men’s NNSW grand final at No.2 Sportsground.

The grand final is a repeat of the last top tier women’s decider when Olympic downed Warners Bay 3-2 in the Women’s Premier League grand final in 2020, with no finals played last season.

The Panthers head into the game fresh following a week off after they defeated Broadmeadow Magic in the major semi-final 6-1 in week one of the finals.

Despite the week off Warners Bay stuck to their training schedule in preparation for the grand final.

“Obviously to freshen up at this point of the season is always a bit of a bonus,” Atkins said.

“Sometimes there’s some niggles or a little bit of fatigue in the legs and that sort of thing. We still held a session on Sunday morning in the heat which was a nice hit out for the girls so they’re feeling good and hopefully refreshed.”

Having dominated the competition and remaining top of the table from round 11 onwards, Warners Bay are the firm favourites.

But Atkins insisted grand finals were a completely different ball game and would not take his side’s preparation lightly despite their success throughout the season.

“We’ve had a look at the way Olympic play and we’ve had a couple of tight games against them this year, so we know it’s going to be a tough grand final which is the way you want it to be,” Atkins said.

“We’ve got to focus on what we do best. Our preparations are going well and I’m sure the girls will be buzzing come Sunday.”

Having lost to Olympic in their last grand final, Atkins was confident the squad he has built this season can get the job done.

“There’s some players still there from the 2020 grand final and then obviously we’ve got some new players that have come in as well but you don’t forget those grand final losses,” Atkins said.

“It’s a different focus at this point in time and we’re very happy with the squad we have and the girls are keen to deliver on grand final day.”

Olympic’s season has been less smooth sailing than their competition but a squad built on grit, determination and heart has seen them prevail and book a spot in the grand final.

Following two successful seasons in the league, results this year were less consistent as Newcastle’s squad were plagued with injuries and absences.

Olympic will be missing the injured Alesha Clifford (ankle), Zoe Burnley (ACL), Natalie Wiseman (thumb) and Jade McAtamney (overseas) this weekend.

Olympic captain Laura Hall also dislocated her right thumb in their thrilling 3-1 win over Broadmeadow Magic in the preliminary final.

Despite the up-and-down season endured by his squad, Olympic coach Paul Devitis said morale was high and the excitement was palpable.

“The morale of the squad is incredibly high at the moment,” Devitis said.

“Everyone’s so excited to be playing in the grand final again. A lot of the girls played in the last grand final [in 2020] and then there’s a few girls that haven’t played in one, so they’re obviously delighted that we’re in it so overall there’s a lot of excitement.”

As well as securing the win in the 2020 grand final, Olympic also got a win over Warners Bay in round 10 of this season. Devitis was not underestimating Warners Bay’s power though, knowing just how tough the game will be.

“We obviously understand that Warners Bay have been the top team all year and deserve to go into the game as favourites,” Devitis said.

Despite the underdog status, Devitis said his team would thrive on the challenge as they did in the minor semi-final against Charlestown Azzurri and preliminary final against Broadmeadow Magic.

“We like going in as the underdogs which is what we’ve done the last couple of games and I think that’s helped us to lift,” Devitis said.

“Mentally now the challenge is for the girls to prepare the absolute best they can. The general consensus is that we’re really confident and that we can go out there and get the job done.”

As opposed to their competition, Olympic were not afforded a week off, having to fight for their place in the grand final over two weeks of finals. Devitis insisted that had been a good thing for his squad.

“I think it’s definitely given us momentum coming from two really hard back-to-back wins but from Warners Bay’s perspective, they’ve had a week off so it’s always a tricky one,” Devitis said.

“For us, I think it’s been great coming off two wins.”

NPL

NNSW FIRST GRADE

2021

2020

Edgeworth

Champions Edgeworth

(defeated Maitland

2019 Premiers Maitland

Champions Edgeworth

(defeated Maitland FC 2-0

Grand

Grand Final)

2018

Edgeworth

Champions Broadmeadow Magic FC (defeated Edgeworth FC 3-0 in Grand Final)

2017 Premiers Edgeworth FC

Champions Lambton Jaffas (defeated Edgeworth FC 2-0 in Grand Final)

CHAMPIONS

2016 Premiers Edgeworth FC

Champions Edgeworth FC (defeated Broadmeadow Magic 2-1 in Grand Final)

2015 Premiers Edgeworth FC

Champions Edgeworth FC (defeated Hamilton Olympic 2-0 in Grand Final)

2014

2013*

Premiers Newcastle Jets Youth

Champions Lambton Jaffas (defeated Weston Workers 2-0 in Grand Final)

Premiers Broadmeadow Magic

Champions Broadmeadow Magic (defeated Lambton Jaffas 4-1 in Grand Final)

2012*

Premiers Hamilton Olympic Champions Broadmeadow Magic (defeated Hamilton Olympic 4-1 in Grand Final)

PAST NNSW WOMEN’S PREMIER LEAGUE PREMIERS, CHAMPIONS AND GRAND FINALISTS

2021 Premiers Broadmeadow Magic No Champions

2020 Premiers Newcastle Olympic

Champions Newcastle Olympic (defeated Warners Bay FC 3-2 in Grand Final)

2019 Premiers New Lambton FC

Champions New Lambton FC (defeated Merewether United 4-3 in Grand Final after extra-time)

2018 Premiers Warners Bay FC

Champions Merewether United FC (beat Warners Bay FC 4-3 in Grand Final)

2017 Premiers Warners Bay FC

Champions Merewether United FC (beat Warners Bay FC 4-3 in Grand Final)

2016 Premiers Adamstown Rosebud JFC

Champions Warners Bay FC (beat Wallsend FC 1-0 in Grand Final)

2015 Premiers Merewether United FC

Champions Merewether United FC (beat Valentine FC 3-2 in Grand Final)

2014 Premiers Adamstown Rosebud JFC

Champions 18 Years Emerging Jets (beat Adamstown Rosebud JFC 5-2 in Grand Final)

2013 Premiers Lake Macquarie City FC

Champions Adamstown Rosebud JFC (beat Lake Macquarie City FC 4-3 in Grand Final)

2012 Premiers Lake Macquarie City FC

Champions Adamstown Rosebud JFC (beat Lake Macquarie City FC 6-1 in Grand Final)

2011 Premiers Broadmeadow Magic FC

Champions Valentine FC (beat Broadmeadow Magic FC 3-2 in Grand Final)

2010 Premiers Broadmeadow Magic FC

Champions Edgeworth FC (beat Valentine FC 1-0 in Grand Final)

2009 Premiers Cardiff City FC

Champions Broadmeadow Magic FC (beat Cardiff City FC 2-0 in Grand Final)