By Blake Jarrett

Weston Workers FC vs. Newcastle Jets Youth
Rockwell Automation Park 
Saturday 9th August, 2.45pm
Match of the Round
#WWBvNEW

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The clash: Weston versus the Newcastle Jets Youth at Rockwell Automation Park. The prize: Premiers.

The Jets occupy the top spot on the table. This season they have won ten matches, drawn three and lost four. That leaves them on a total of thirty-three points.

The Bears trail the Jets by only two points. Just as the Jets have, they have been defeated four times this season. Nine wins and four draws see them enter Round 18 on thirty-one points.

The Jets have an impressive goal difference of seventeen, whereas Weston’s is just five. That is irrelevant come Saturday, as whatever the score, one team will finish on a higher total of points then the other.

If the Jets happen to win, it would see them finish five clear of second placed Weston, capping off a successful season with only a few minor hiccups along the way. They are already guaranteed their highest finish since their induction in 2012, where they finished in third.

A Bears win would see them complete a wonderful fight back after they sat in sixth at the halfway point of the season in Round 9. Weston have finished fifth and seventh in the last two seasons respectively, and therefore second, let alone first, is a huge positive for coach Steve Piggott in his first year in charge of the club.

Newcastle Jets Youth was excellent in the opening two months, losing just twice in thirteen outings. In Round 13 striker Radovan Pavicevic was sidelined for the remainder of the season after breaking his arm, and the Jets’ season immediately hit a roadblock. 

A 5-0 loss to Charlestown and a 2-1 loss to Lake Macquarie, followed by a 2-2 draw against Hamilton saw them give up a six point lead, allowing Weston and Lambton back in the title hunt. Disposing of Lambton 2-1 on Sunday eliminated the Jaffas from the race, leaving them with one last obstacle: Weston.

Weston enters Round 18 in exceptional form, winning their last four matches. They have scored thirteen goals in that period, which is over a third of their season’s tally.

Although this is a first versus second match, do not be fooled into thinking that goals will be scarce. Between the sides they have only kept five clean sheets from thirty-four games. Both defend extremely well, but are certainly vulnerable at times during matches. 

This is exemplified in the side’s previous encounter this year in Round 7 when the Jets trumped the Bears 5-2. Pavicevic and Reece Papas sent the Jets into the break with a 2-0 lead, then Tom Waller made it three shortly after. Jamie Subat pulled a goal back before Brandon Lundy and Beau McDonald scored a goal each to make the score 5-1. Just before full time Garry McDermott managed a consolation goal, and the match ended 5-2 to the Jets.

Expect much of the same this weekend as the sides battle it out for the title of Premiers. A mixture of speed, skill, and sheer determination will be on show, as the Match of the Round, and arguably the match of the year, is contested at Rockwell Automation Park.

Lambton Jaffas FC vs. Adamstown Rosebud FC
Arthur Edden Oval 
Saturday 9th August, 2.45pm
#JAFvBUD

In the second of the two Saturday games, Lambton welcomes Adamstown to Arthur Edden Oval.

Although they had their aspirations of finishing in the top two taken away from them last week with a loss to the Jets, there is still a lot to play for from a Jaffas perspective.

They can fall to as low as fifth with a loss, however a win guarantees them third.

Adamstown’s finals hopes were destroyed last week as Charlestown defeated Lake Macquarie. They are currently seventh, on twenty-one points, however a win could see them finish the season in sixth place, which would be somewhat of a success in their first season back in the top tier. 

The win would not only see Jaffas stay third, but it would send them into the finals series with a great deal of confidence. 

Lambton is strong favourites as back in Round 7 the Jaffas decimated Adamstown by five goals to nil. John Majurovski, Kale Bradbery, Luke Remington, Adrian Perisic, and Dino Fajkovic all chipped in with a goal each on that day.

Despite this, coach Anthony Richards suggested he is feeling at ease with the weekend’s fixture, and is keen to go out on a high.

‘I’m very confident we can get something out of this match,’ he said.

‘We have done very well in the second half of the season, in fact we have been the third best side in the last six weeks points-wise’.

‘I believe the boys can and will put on a good show in our last match of the season’.

Both sides will contest this match with passion and determination, and it will certainly be an interesting fixture. 

Hamilton Olympic FC vs. Edgeworth FC
Darling Street Oval 
Sunday 10th August, 2.45pm
#OLYvEFC

Edgeworth coach Gary Wilson suggested that his side controlled the game last week in a 2-0 win over Magic, and was happy with their efforts in the front third. He will be hoping for much of the same this weekend as his side travels to Darling Street Oval in hunt of third spot.

The Eagles have won seven, drawn six and lost just four matches this year. They are on twenty-seven points, locked with Lambton who take on Adamstown the day before. 

Their opponents, Hamilton Olympic, also have a lot at stake. They sit two points outside the top five after six wins, five draws and six losses this season, and anything but a win is unacceptable this weekend.

Hamilton have had somewhat of a below par season, struggling to find the consistency that has seen them soar in recent years. Despite this they are still in finals contention but must rely on rivals Broadmeadow to beat Charlestown. 

Jacob Bailey netted for Hamilton in the opening forty-five minutes of the sides’ Round 7 clash, however it was cancelled out by a Brody Taylor strike in the second half, and the sides shared the points.

Both will be intent to find the way to get on top of the other this Sunday at Darling Street Oval. Both have won just two out of their last five matches, and will be hoping to end their seasons, and head into the finals with some form and confidence behind them.

This fixture is always an attractive, competitive event, so expect much of the same on Sunday afternoon.

Charlestown City Blues FC vs. Broadmeadow Magic FC
Lisle Carr Oval 
Sunday 10th August, 2.45pm
#CCBvMGC

One of these teams has a chance of finishing third, and one can only peak at sixth given that other results go their way. Extraordinarily Broadmeadow Magic is the latter.

Broadmeadow have succumbed to a difficult NPL season and had their hopes of reaching the finals crushed last week as they were defeated by Edgeworth.

This season they have won six, drawn two and lost nine, falling to one of their worst tallies in years. 

The Blues have a lot on the line this weekend. Seven wins, four draws and six losses have seen them left in a do or die final round match.

If they win and Lambton and Edgeworth both lose, they finish third. If they win and one of those sides loses they finish fourth. If they win and both of those sides win they finish fifth. However, if they lose and Hamilton wins they will not feature in the finals in two weeks time. Quite frankly it is a bizarre but amazing scenario.

A Rhys Tippett hat trick in Round 7 saw Magic crush Charlestown 3-0. The Blues will be out for revenge this weekend, as they look to register their eighth win of the season, but Magic will be after much of the same.

Both sides enter the match in good form winning two of their last four matches.

Broadmeadow will be aware that to avoid complete embarrassment that this is a must win fixture, and will be boosted by the return of veteran keeper Chris Bowling. 

This is also a significant match for Charlestown striker Kane Goodchild who will be looking to wrap up the 2014 Golden Boot. He needs two goals to overtake Lake Macquarie’s Sam Walker. 

Lake Macquarie City FC vs. South Cardiff FC
Macquarie Field
Sunday 10th August, 2.45pm
#LMCvSCG

Unfortunately, every year the final round sees one side say goodbye to the NPL as they accept the fact that they are the lowest ranked side and will be joining the NewFM 1st Division the following year; this season that is Lake Macquarie who hosts the South Cardiff Gunners in the final match of Round 18, and subsequently the year.

The Roosters from Macquarie Field have managed just three wins this year and sit on eleven points.

The ninth placed Gunners have recorded six victories this season, and are nine points ahead of Lake Macquarie.

Both sides lost their Round 17 matches 2-1 against Charlestown and Weston respectively, and therefore this weekend is a chance to bounce back in style.

The last time the sides faced off was in the Round 7 Match of the Round at Ulinga Oval, which saw the Gunners prevail 3-2 thanks to a Jamie Byrnes hat trick. Curtis Schumann and Dan Clements were the scorers for the Roosters on that day.

Lake Macquarie will be intent on narrowing the gap between themselves and ninth place, and as a result go out with grace. South Cardiff has a similar mindset, hoping to finish the season in seventh ahead of Broadmeadow and Adamstown. 

Lake Macquarie striker Sam Walker has led the Golden Boot Race for most of the season, and will have the chance to finish on top this weekend. South Cardiff’s Jamie Byrnes trails him by just two, and will be hoping to overtake him.

The match will be extremely competitive and entertaining, and wraps up an eventful last round of the National Premier Leagues season in style, before a break occurs before the finals.