Cue the blaring 1980's Synth track, because we have reached the Final Countdown on the 2019 Women's Super League season. Saturday, 2:00pm at KGV the Warriors and Zebras will meet to determine the Super League crown.
With both teams level on 47 points each as they prepare to meet in the last game of the season, we have a quasi grand final scenario. The Zebras superior goal difference gives them the edge heading into the decider as they need just a draw to secure the title on that basis. To win the league Olympia would have to win the game, though that is something they have managed twice in their three previous meetings with the Zebras this season. The Zebras are yet to beat Olympia in 2019, with the three times they've clashed producing two wins to Olympia and a 2-2 draw.
Previous Meetings
Round 1: Hobart Zebras 2 –3 Olympia (North Hobart)
Round 6: Olympia 2 –2 Hobart Zebras (Warrior Park)
Round 15: Olympia 3–0 Hobart Zebras (Warrior Park)
So the recent history favours the Warriors, but the Zebras need just a draw so they probably hold the edge, but its tight, oh so tight. It certainly sets the stage for what should be an enthralling decider and a fine exhibition of the Women's game. Olympia, winners of the Pilot Version of the WSL in 2016 are trying to claim the title on their return to the league, whilst the Zebras are looking to reclaim the trophy they won in their undefeated season of 2017. The silverware is close enough to touch for both of them, who will reach and out grab it?
The most recent of the meetings between the pair was a thumping 3-0 win for Olympia. Madi Chambers ran riot down the left wing and caused all manner of problems for the Zebras defence en route to a hat-trick. It looked like that result would send Olympia into the final day needing just the draw, but since that game the Zebras have been in the better form of the two sides and seized back the advantage. They came through a tough month where they played Ulverstone and Kingborough twice undefeated, and twice coming back from 3 goal deficits in that time. When a side is doing that multiple weeks in a row, as a player you'd have to really start believing that it's your year.
The Zebras hopes hinge largely on curbing the influence of Chambers. Of their eight goals scored against the Zebras across the three games, six have come from either directly from her boot, or have been created by her from the left wing. The wide ares are definitely the strength of this Warriors team, with speedster Bonnie Davies on the other flank offering another potent attacking weapon. Charlotte Chambers likely starts in the striking role between the pair, and whilst that #9 role has been a rotating cast, the supply coming in to them from wide areas has been a constant and whoever has been in there has profited from it. The Warriors pacey wingers routinely get in behind opposing full backs and this was the key to their 3-0 win back in July. It was somewhat surprising that this was so noticeable at the smaller Warrior Park, as the Zebras played too high of a defensive line and were exploited for it. Yet that was less of an issue in games on the bigger KGV and North Hobart grounds despite the increased space. It's something they will need to be cognisant of though because they were ruthlessly exploited in this area last time around, and it is where the bulk of the Warriors chances stem from. So whether it be Delaney, Gill or the more recently deployed Ferrier that gets the nod in the full back slots, they will have enormous jobs.
The Zebras strength is based more centrally. In Allie Berry and Zoe Nichols in particular, they have two of the most dominant players in the league and two contendors for the Golden Boot. Nichols has fired in 27 goals in 19 games and Berry has supplied 29 in 18. They've been firmly on song recently too, Berry has 11 in her past five games, and Nichols 11 from her past 4. Whilst those numbers are inflated somewhat by the Zebras demolition job of Clarence it highlights how red hot the pair have been and the task facing the likes of Leszczynski and Michael at the back. Berry's return is especially stunning given she is a midfielder and its been quite the season she has put together. She has a very strong MVP case and her absence in the first half of the previous Warriors v Zebras game was significant. Whilst they ultimately couldn't get back into it, when Berry was subbed on, the Zebras looked a significantly better side for it. They went from being belted in midfield, with Olivia Bomford absolutely running the show, to a much more even battle. Bomford's influence will be key again, so much of the transitioning of the ball to those wingers, sliding them into good positions comes from her playmaking. Williams/Russel and Burt/Rand will keep things ticking over and need to be good two way players for their sides on the day, but the influence of the "B's" in midfield could well decide this game.