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Women’s First Grade: Grand Final Preview

Women’s First Grade: Grand Final Preview

This Sunday, our Northern Tigers First Grade Women’s team could make history as they compete against Macarthur Rams to take home the Championship Trophy in the NPL1 Grand Final. Jake Stephenson’s side head to Valentine Sports Park with all eyes on silverware.

Our First Grade team showed their potential last Sunday afternoon in the Semi-Final against league winners Sydney Uni. After losing 4-2 just one week earlier, the side displayed remarkable grit and determination to bounce back where it mattered, booking their ticket to the final with a 3-0 win. Shadeene Evans was the star of the show ,scoring two incredible goals in the first half. Beth Bernardi joined the party early in the second half to make it 3-0, followed by an excellent second half defensive effort to keep a clean sheet.

The squad has qualified for the Championship Series the past three seasons (no finals in 2021), the last Grand Final being in 2019 against Sydney Uni. After 120 minutes of intense football, Sydney Uni came off better in the penalty shootout. Even though the result didn’t go their way, the Club made history in its first NPL1 Grand Final, stunning everyone with a huge crowd that has never been seen before in the NPL Women’s league.

Head Coach Jake Stephenson was proud of his players as they look to inspire the younger generation of players coming through the pathway.

“As we also look to inspire the next generation of players, it was fantastic to see many young Tigers players and fans at VSP on Sunday supporting the team and playing their part in the First Grade making a grand final. We hope to see the Tigers community there again this Sunday cheering on the team.”

To read Jake Stephenson’s full interview with NPL, click here.

Kiwi international Malia Steinmetz played a huge role in the Semi-Final last Sunday in the heart of the defence. She is proud of the Club’s collective effort to reach the Grand Final.

“I couldn’t ask for a better bunch to go into this game on Sunday with, and that goes for all players and staff involved over this whole season,” said Steinmetz. “We’ve had a lot of young guns and reserves come in through the ranks to help with training and games and if it weren’t for them we wouldn’t be where we are now. So, for this final we will be fighting out there as a team but ultimately as a whole club which has played as big of a role as any starting 11 could. Finals footy is why we do, what we do, so to say we’re excited is an understatement! See you lot out there!”

To read Malia Steinmetz’s full interview with NPL, click here.

First Grade goalkeeper Morgan Aquino is excited to show the team’s full potential against experienced side Macarthur Rams.

“We’re buzzing for the weekend! We have built a bond within our team that like no other. We’ve been underestimated the whole season, so it’s exiting going into the final as underdogs.”

Technical Director Jason Eagar proud of the efforts put in by the squad and is looking forward to the side taking the field with confidence on Sunday.

“What a great way to end the season, a Grand Final for our Women’s First Grade team,” said Eagar. “The squad will go into this big game with belief and confidence after the dominant display last weekend. The opportunity to lift the trophy is well deserved due to the hard work of Jake, and quality performances all season by the players lead superbly Barty. Like all Tigers teams I know they will give everything they have for each other and the Club, and with the Club’s support behind them on Sunday at VSP anything is possible.”

Join us at Valentine Sports Park at 3pm or tune in on NPL.TV!

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