NPL Women’s Reserves Grand Final : Belconnen United vs Canberra Croatia
First up, Belconnen United takes on Canberra Croatia, as the Blue Devils look to claim a second title of the season, and a second successive Grand Final after lifting the trophy in 2025 against Canberra Olympic.
The two met in the first round of finals and following a 1-1 full-time scoreline after extra-time, Belconnen got the job done on penalties, winning 5-4 to secure a week off and qualification for the showpiece match.
Danny Hately’s outfit turned attention to Canberra Olympic in the Preliminary Final after defeat, and after a two-goal half-time scoreline, Croatia bagged eight to propel themselves into the Grand Final in imperious goalscoring form.
First and second from the NPL Women’s Reserves campaign contested three league matches, and despite Belconnen winning two, the draw in regular time two weeks ago will give Croatia confidence that an upset could be on the cards.
NPL Women’s First Grade Grand Final: Canberra Croatia vs Belconnen United
Canberra Croatia will play hosts to Belconnen United at McKellar Park in the NPL Women’s Grand Final this Sunday, as the two heavyweights of the regular season look to top off their season with silverware.
Croatia in particular have won just the early-season Charity Shield and would relish the opportunity to lift a trophy to cap off a superb season under new Head Coach Sam Odgers.
The two sides met two weeks ago in the Semi Finals and Croatia emerged victorious, after a second 0-0 draw in succession ended in shootout victory for the team that finished second, helped by another Ellie Summers penalties masterclass in goals.
Belconnen having lost, bounced back in impressive fashion, putting six past Canberra Olympic at Deakin Stadium to re-awaken their goalscoring touch, ahead of another customary appearance in the season decider.
Odgers’ side will contest their first Grand Final since 2020, and despite falling to Scot Conlon’s outfit in several Federation Cup Finals of late, Croatia will feel they are back where they belong.
After a dominant campaign the Blue Devils saw off Olympic comfortably in the 2025 final, however a close-run title race in 2026 will likely set up a tight affair this Sunday.
NPL Men’s U23s Grand Final: Tigers FC vs Belconnen United
The top two from the league campaign meet in the NPL Men’s U23s Grand Final, as first-placed Tigers FC takes on Belconnen United at McKellar Park.
Tigers’ most recent match against the Blue Devils proved decisive in the race for top spot, after a deserved 3-0 win saw them through to the final round, after beating Brindabella Blues, with a far superior goal difference despite an equal points tally.
Tom Crossley’s side, after a week off, saw off Tuggeranong United 3-1 to secure Grand Final qualification, and having won the 2025 championship against Canberra Croatia, the reigning winners will be looking for back-to-back titles.
Belconnen turned on the style to put four past Monaro Panthers in the other Preliminary Final, and while the recent loss to Tigers will play on the mind, a Round 7 2-1 win in 2026 will offer plenty of confidence that the job can be done.
NPL Men’s First Grade: Canberra Croatia vs Tigers FC
Canberra Croatia and Tigers FC have contested the Charity Shield and Australia Cup Qualifying Finals in 2026, and will meet for a third final this Sunday to decide the NPL Men’s Champions.
Two wins from Tigers, headlined by an authoritative 5-1 display in the cup final, will be somewhat cancelled out by Croatia going undefeated in two league matches, drawing 1-1 in Round 14, before seeing off Ali Efe’s side earlier in the season 2-1.
League Champions Croatia will be buoyed by a resilient and memorable end to their 2026 campaign, and off the back of a 1-0 Preliminary Final success in tough conditions against Queanbeyan City, Dean Ugrinic’s outfit enter the final on a streak of eight wins in a row.
Tigers FC will be disappointed to finish just shy of top spot, however a win at McKellar Park on Sunday would wrap up a season claiming three of a possible four trophies in the capital.
The formerly Cooma-based club claimed the 2025 Grand Final, winning 3-0 against Monaro Panthers to secure a first championship since 2012.
Before falling to Monaro Panthers in the Preliminary Final last campaign, Croatia had made the last four Grand Finals in a row, and despite falling in 2022, three wins within that period, most recently a come-from-behind success against Tigers FC in 2024, will have the Australian Championship representatives full of hunger to add another trophy to the cabinet.
FIXTURES:
Game 1: NPLW Reserves: Belconnen United vs Canberra Croatia, McKellar Park, 10:00 am
Game 2: NPLM U23: Tigers FC vs Belconnen United, McKellar Park, 1:00 pm
Game 3: NPLW First Grade: Canberra Croatia vs Belconnen United, 4:00 pm
Game 4: NPLM First Grade: Canberra Croatia vs Tigers FC, 7:00 pm
Tickets
Adults: $10
Students/Pensioners/Concession: $5
Children (Under 14): Free
Card payments only, no cash accepted.
