NPL SA Grand Final Preview

nationalpremierleagues.com.au 1607653163,1611904686

Campbelltown City are eyeing an historic three-peat in the NPL South Australia Grand Final but standing in their way is an Adelaide Comets out of for revenge.

The Red Devils and the Comets renew rivalries in the decider for a second straight year tonight at Coopers Stadium in what looms as a dramatic finale to the NPL SA season.

A win for Campbelltown will see them become the first club in Australia to claim three consecutive Champions titles in an NPL state competition.

However, standing in their way is a Comets side out to avenge last year's defeat and in strong form – sewing up their maiden NPL SA Premiers title in late October and progressing to the decider after shutting out Campbelltown over two legs at the Semi Final stage.

NEWS: Football NSW Announces Women’s Squad for Queensland Clash
NEWS: NPL QLD Women’s All-Stars upset Roar

Following a scoreless draw in the opening leg, the Comets stormed into the Grand Final with a commanding 3-0 home win led by a brace from Andreas Wiens.

The Comets are far from having the wood over the Red Devils this season, however, after Campbelltown were the only team to post a league double over the newly crowned Premiers.

Typically, they will again draw on the experience of the Mullens across their formation, with the A-League experience of Daniel Mullen supported by cousins Matthew and Alexander Mullen, who scored the match winner against Comets in July.

But also key to the potential three-peat is getting the most from leading scorers Marc Marino and Blake Carpenter in the big dance.

The duo both found the net against Comets in the regular season and, more importantly, regained their scoring touch in last week’s dominant 4-0 Preliminary Final win over Adelaide City last week after being stifled earlier in the Finals Series.

At the other end, the Comets present a dangerous scoring threat of their in the form of Sergio Melta Medal winner, and league Golden Boot, Allen Welsh.

However, with the midfielder failing to find the net in the Final Series so far, the support of Wiens and the ever-reliable Tete Yengi will also be crucial to the Premiers fortunes in the attacking third.

And, in a season of disruptions, the Comets must overcome one final hurdle, with the recent COVID-19 delay to the Finals Series seeing them without a competitive run in a month ahead of the decider.

Earlier this week the NPL South Australia Reserves Champion was decided, with Adelaide United edging out Raiders 2-1.