Bonnyrigg Sports Centre is the venue for a match that promises goals ? there have been 17 of them in the three matches between the two sides this season.
Manly United defeated Sutherland 4-2 at Seymour Shaw Park early in the season, but the Sharks got their revenge, thrashing Manly 5-0 at Cromer Park later in the year.
The two clashed in the Grand Final qualifier a fortnight ago, a match that saw Sutherland take a 2-0 lead before being pegged back, a Manly goal in injury time of the second half sending the match to extra time. Sutherland scored twice in the extra period to seal their place in the Grand Final, but it was a warning of the ability that Manly United possess.
The Northern Beaches side had to endure extra time and a penalty shootout last weekend against Blacktown Spartans in order to qualify. They could well have been knocked out had Andre Carle scored with an open goal in front of him with the last kick of extra time, but his miss sent the game to a shootout where Manly?s keeper Tonu Liiband saved the final penalty to send his side through.
Both sides possess huge quality in attack, which will make for an exciting game. Sutherland Sharks? Christopher Naumoff, Nick Olsen and Ben Cornish have been pivotal to their campaign, whilst Manly United?s Michael McGinley has been unstoppable in front of goal, ably assisted by his striker partner, William Pritchard.
It is an important day, too, for the goalkeepers. Marko Bozic and Tonu Liiband will have to be at the very top of their games if they are to see their side to Championship glory.
It is also a big occasion for the coaches of both sides, Jim McMillan and Rod Eames at Sutherland and Nigel Mahoney at Manly United.
This match will certainly be a fantastic game and the winner will certainly have defeated a worthy foe.
-By Matthew Connellan
NSW Premier League Grade 18s Feature: Peterson relishing Grand Final match for Blacktown City
Tony Candy?s side finished a strong second place in the league and a key component of his side is midfielder Ryan Peterson, who has had a fantastic season in the heart of the side.
Peterson is a vital cog in Candy?s midfield, strong in the tackle and an excellent passer of the ball. He made his full debut for the Grade 20s during the season and slotted in perfectly in the match against APIA Leichhardt at Lambert Park.
?He?s a real talent, a player of the future,? Candy said in the lead up to the Grand Final.
Peterson himself assessed the season as a successful one.
?We had a very strong beginning with some strong results against all opposition,? he said.
?We had our ups and downs of course, but the real highlights was our 10-0 win against Sydney Olympic.
?Everyone was pulling the strings that day.
?We?ve had injuries during the season but everyone has stepped up throughout the year to ensure that we?ve had a quality eleven on the pitch for every game,? Peterson added.
Sutherland Sharks won the Premiership by 11 points, but were vanquished in the Grand Final qualifier.
Peterson said the win was well deserved.
?Coming into the game, we felt like we knew a lot about Sutherland?s strengths? he said.
?We worked on some tactics in training and we implemented those strategies into the game,? he added.
Tony Candy?s side have forged a reputation as a formidable attacking outfit, never more so than in the aforementioned 10-0 win over Olympic.
Peterson had only words of praise for his coach.
?Tony?s a spectacular coach,? the youngster said.
?He?s a coach that wants the best for everyone.
?He likes a really attacking style of football, but he?s adaptable depending on the situation and the opposition.
?There are techniques and tactics we work on in training so that we?re all on the same page,? he said.
All of which has led to a Grand Final appearance on Monday, where Candy?s Blacktown City take on the Jakob Tielman coached Parramatta FC.
Having also defeated Sutherland, Parramatta FC are worthy opposition, something Peterson was keen to acknowledge.
?We?ve played Parramatta three times and they?ve all been close encounters,? he said.
?They?ve all been decided by the odd goal.
?We definitely respect them as opposition.
?We?re confident we?ve worked out their style of play though and that we can exploit their weaknesses on Monday,? he added.
For a young player with a bright future, Monday?s Grade 18 Grand Final could be the first step on a long football journey ahead.
-By Matthew Connellan
Official: NSW Premier League Grand Final Match Program ONLINE now
With a feast of football taking shape on Monday 1st of October at Bonnyrigg Sports Centre, all three age groups; Under 18s, Under 20s and First Grade will be on show in what promises to be a great day for the round ball game.
To get an insightful view on all matches click below to view the official 2012 NSW Premier League Match Program ? your one stop pocket of information.
LINK – Official 2012 NSW Premier League Match Program
NSW Premier League Grand Final Preview
The long weekend Monday grand final encounter pits arguably the two best clubs this season with the dominant White Eagles starting the match as favourites against a Marconi Stallions side that has really ?turned it on? over the past six weeks after an indifferent first part of the season.
Bonnyrigg maintain home ground advantage for the decider, seeing the side was the first to qualify for the grand final, and Brian Brown?s men will be looking to take full advantage in-front of the side?s supporters.
Bonnyrigg has led the way this season with some destructive performances, the side without a doubt the bench mark for 2012. The White Eagles are strong across the park with Robbie Younis the League?s golden boot winner expected to find more goals on Monday.
Across the backline, Nikola Zonjic has been immense for Bonnyrigg, as has captain Chris Tadrosse on the left. Youngsters Adrian Ucchino and Harris Gaitatzis have been massive finds for the club this season as they have settled in nicely to give Bonnyrigg near perfect balance across the playing field.
Marconi?s run of late has also been impressive, and even though the side starts the match as underdogs, Bonnyrigg would do best not to underestimate the team from Bossley Park.
Coach Luke Casserly has enjoyed a lot of success with his fielding of the likes of Joey Gibbs and Nathan Elasi ? both players exceptional in the front-third.
Captain Nahuel Arrarte is the man who marshalls the side on the pitch, and his linking up with Shane Webb and Jamie McMaster ? both former Bonnyrigg White Eagles players ? has made the Stallions challenge for silverware possible.
This grand final matchup promises to provide spectators with a lot of action as both sides have been amongst the goals this season. As is the case with most grand finals, the first team to settle down and take control of midfield sets themself up with the best chance of victory and the battle shaping up between the two strongest midfields in the competition promises to provide action aplenty on long weekend Monday, grand final day.
Last Week:
Bonnyrigg White Eagles (weekend off)
Marconi Stallions 4 Blacktown City FC 2
Bonnyrigg White Eagles v Marconi Stallions, Monday 1st of October, 3:00 pm Bonnyrigg Sports Club
NSW Premier League Preliminary Finals Highlights ONLINE now
Marconi Stallions put together a fine second-half showing to overturn a 1-2 half-time deficit against Blacktown City FC and secure another shot at Bonnyrigg White Eagles in the grand-final next weekend.
A fast-paced finish to the match saw the Stallions run out 4-2 winners, the Bossley Park outfit showing its full array of skill on a near perfect night for the club.
The loss for Blacktown City signals the end to the playing career of influential captain Luke Roodenburg who recently made public that this season would be his last.
Roodenburg has been an ambassador for the Football NSW competition, and he holds a legend status amongst the supporters at the Club.
Marconi?s win will see the Stallions line-up against Bonnyrigg White Eagles for a shot at the Minor Premiership on long weekend Monday
To view the highlights click here