3 Things to Watch for in Round 22 of the IPL*
Despite it seeming as if all was said and done some weeks ago, there are still a couple of things to be decided on the final day of the Illawarra Premier League season — not least the League Championship.
For the final time this season, let’s dive into the three things I will be keeping an eye on this weekend.
1 — Olympic hope Bulli bottle it in the final round
Bulli had an opportunity to claim back-to-back League titles last weekend but a 1–1 draw with the Albion Park White Eagles means they will need to get the job done on the final day. The only challenger is Wollongong Olympic who are two points behind Bulli after thumping the now relegated Picton 7–1 last time out.
This weekend Bulli take on Corrimal while Olympic face Tarrawanna. If Bulli lose to the Rangers, an Olympic win would see them claim the title and if Bulli draw, an Olympic win by three goals or more would be enough.
Olympic winning by a decent margin isn’t too far fetched, they beat Tarrawanna 4–1 in Round 13 and another result would see them extended their unbeaten League run to 18 matches. The chances of Bulli winning against Corrimal are also pretty high given Matt Bailey’s side have only dropped two points against opposition outside the current top four.
Corrimal have drawn a couple in a row against sides in and around them and they haven’t won since Round 13, however, I imagine they would gain a sense of satisfaction in claiming another big scalp and altering the outcome of the League title.
For mine, Olympic win on the weekend but Bulli’s League record is there for all to see and I think they will beat Corrimal to claim the title with the same points tally as last season.
2 — United and White Eagles to fight it out for third
Despite Wollongong United only being inside the top three for two weeks all season, the side have a chance of stealing third in the final round of the season. United take on the third-placed Albion Park White Eagles this weekend and the equation is pretty straightforward — if United win by two goals or more they will jump into third.
Jeff Allport’s side recovered from a 1–0 defeat to South Coast United to overcome Port Kembla 3–0 last time out. However, the victory came at a cost with Matt Gordon, Sam Nastic and Kazuto Kushida all in doubt this weekend after picking up injuries at Wetherall Park.
On the plus side, the match did see the return of Matt McNab and he had a hand in the third goal of the afternoon while defenders Mark Every and Hayden Morton are also set to return to the fold after serving suspensions.
As for the White Eagles, they bounced back from a horrendous second half against Wollongong Olympic to hold Bulli to a 1–1 draw. Albion Park have a League-high of seven draws, four have come against top-five opposition — on the face of it that is a decent record, however, a fortunate win over Port in Round 13 is their only win against a side currently in the top five.
The reverse fixture finished as 1–1 draw, although from all reports, United were unlucky not to come away with the three points.
United have the ability to thump the White Eagles but they are yet to convince me this season and I think Paul Carter’s side will do enough to hold on to third. My concern is Albion Park set up for a draw, concede early and then fall apart — in saying that, I am tipping a draw.
3 — Coniston in poll position for promotion
As in the top flight, the League Championship in the second division will go down to the final day with one point between the top two sides.
Coniston are the side in the lead but that wasn’t the case when they trailed second-placed Bellambi with 10 minutes remaining last weekend. But, Hiroaki Kohinoki headed home an 82nd-minute equaliser to leave things as you were with a round to go. In saying this, Rod Williams’ side probably should have clinched the title with only a couple of minutes remaining when Takayuki Kayano skied the ball a metre out from an open goal.
This weekend, Coniston host third-placed Helensburgh who were the first side to beat them this season. A win for Coniston will guarantee them the League title and promotion to the Premier League. A slip, however, would give Bellambi a chance to nip back into the lead for the for the first time since Round 15. The Rosellas take on fifth-placed Thirroul who are a side with the potential to stifle any side in the second division though they only have one point against top-five opposition this campaign.
Whatever way it goes, fair play to both sides because they have occupied the top two positions from go to whoa. I think both sides will pick up three points this weekend which would see Coniston come out on top.
