Central Sydney Wolves Reserve Grade team and Padstow Hornets 1st grade team booked their grand finals spots last weekend in their respective competitions.
This weekend will see Yagoona Lions and Bankstown Sports Strikers go head-to-head in both grades as they battle it out for the final spot in the Grand Final’s next weekend.
Reserve Grade Major Final: Bankstown Sports Strikers vs Yagoona Lions, 19th August 3:30pm @ Padstow Park
Previous Meeting: Yagoona Lions 1-5 Bankstown Sports Strikers – Rd 10, 2023
Bankstown Sports Strikers took a shock loss to Central Sydney Wolves in extra time of their semi-final last weekend which will have them more focused for their fixture this weekend against Yagoona Lions as they are eager for a Grand Final spot in 2023, while Yagoona Lions came back from 1-0 down to defeat Panania Diggers 3-1 to keep their Grand Final hopes alive.
When these two sides met previously in Round 10, Bankstown Sports Strikers defeated Yagoona Lions 5-1 on Yagoona’s home turf courtesy of a hattrick hero as Strikers Ali Messelmani helped his side to victory. Bankstown Sports Strikers were also victorious in their round 7 clash which sees the Strikers as the favourites heading into this match.
1st placed Bankstown Sports Strikers will be looking for an improved performance after they lost 3-2 to Central Sydney Wolves last weekend in extra time. Bankstown Sports Strikers had defeated the Wolves heavily both times throughout the season, however, despite being the heavy favourites for the match they were defeated. Expect Bankstown Sports Strikers to look to right the wrongs of last weekend.
Bankstown Sports Strikers have been the best defensive side this season having only conceded 19 goals coming into this match. They have only conceded 1 goal against Yagoona Lions in their previous two meetings, Bankstown Sports Strikers will look to limit Yagoona’s chances in front of goal to prevent Yagoona finding a goal and giving Yagoona any hope of winning this fixture.
Strikers Mark Albro will most likely be their main target in attack as they look to find the back of the net in this match, however, with both Shervin Vargha and Ali Messelmani scoring a handful of goals when these two sides met in Round 10, Strikers look to have threats across their whole front line.
2nd placed Yagoona Lions fought back from a goal down early in the first half to defeat Panania Diggers 3-1 and continue their push for a grand final appearance. Yagoona Lions will feel like they need to do it tough this weekend as they face an opponent in Bankstown Sports Strikers who they have not defeated this season.
Yagoona Lions used their full squad to their advantage last weekend as they brought on 1st grade prolific goal scorer Jamie Bazevski, who scored 2 goals late to help his side to victory. However, Yagoona may be weary of bringing Jamie Bazevski on this weekend as their first-grade squad are also in a knockout fixture this weekend.
Yagoona Lions will look for a resilient defensive performance to limit Bankstown Sports Strikers chances in the match. The longer the games go on without Bankstown Sports Strikers scoring a goal, the more likely Yagoona will be to win this match.
Although Bankstown Sports Strikers have dominated Yagoona in previous meetings, anything can happen in finals football. Expect this one to go down to the wire as both sides look to secure their spot in the Grand Final next weekend.
1st Grade Major Final: Yagoona Lions vs Bankstown Sports Strikers, 19th August 5:30pm @ Padstow Park
Previous Meeting: Yagoona Lions 4-3 Bankstown Sports Strikers – Rd 10, 2023
1st vs 2nd will clash in the 1st grade major final this weekend with only one spot up for grabs in the grand final next weekend. Yagoona Lions unbeaten run came to an end last weekend as they lost 3-2 to Padstow Hornets after extra time which was their first loss since Round 8, while Bankstown Sports Strikers come off an important 3-2 victory against Panania Diggers to keep their Grand Final hopes alive.
When these two sides previously met in Round 10, there were 5 goals scored in the last 15 minutes as Yagoona Lions held onto a 2-goal advantage late to win the game 4-3. However, these two sides also clashed in Round 7 which saw the Strikers hold off Yagoona’s electric attack in a 2-0 victory with not much to split these two sides on paper.
1st placed Yagoona Lions could not hold onto a 2-0 lead last weekend as they conceded two goals late in regular time to Padstow Hornets before conceding again in extra time to lose the game 3-2. Yagoona Lions will need to pick themselves up and stay positive after losing their first game since Round 8 this season.
Yagoona Lions are attempting to make their first grand final appearance in 1st grade since 2011 which will have their squad determined to be victorious this weekend. They will be without Benne Owusu who has been a consistent starter for their side this season after he was red carded in their semi final last weekend.
Yagoona Lions will be looking to win again this weekend through their attack which has been their biggest weapon this season, however, Yagoona will need to learn from their lapse in concentration last weekend and make sure that if they’re to go in front this weekend, they will need to have better game management and hold onto their advantage.
2nd placed Bankstown Sports Strikers are looking for another Grand Final appearance this weekend as they eagerly look to make up for their loss in their Grand Final last weekend.
Bankstown Sports Strikers will take confidence in being the only side who have been able to keep Yagoona Lions deadly attack to zero goals in a match this season and will understand the importance of their defence this weekend if they are to win the match and progress to a Grand Final for a second consecutive season.
Bankstown Sports Strikers a play like a well-oiled machine with every player understanding their responsibility in the team, expect them to stick to their strengths as they look to defeat Yagoona Lions this weekend through their unique football style.
Expect a big crowd for an exciting 1st grade fixture as both sides prepare to fight for 90 minutes with the winner progressing to the Grand Final next weekend.
