The penultimate NPL Women’s weekend of the season is upon us, as two Preliminary Finals take place at Deakin Stadium to decide the opponents for next weekend’s Grand Finals.
Read the match previews below:
NPL Women’s Reserves:
Match 1: NPL Women’s Reserves Preliminary Final- Canberra Croatia vs Canberra Olympic 1:00 pm Deakin Stadium
The first Preliminary Final of the day will see Canberra Croatia take on Canberra Olympic, in a repeat of last season’s pairing for this finals fixture, in a contest which saw then league champions Croatia fall to their opponents 6-2.
With revenge on the table for Danny Hately’s squad, the side that finished second could set up a meeting with Belconnen United in the Grand Final, after being defeated by the Blue Devils on penalties last week in the Semi Final.
The two rivals have met on four occasions this season, and following back-to-back draws to start 2026, a win for Croatia, and a more recent win for Olympic sets up what will undoubtedly be a tight encounter.
Robert Paragalli’s team saw off West Canberra Wanderers last week in dominant fashion, and will be looking for redemption against Belconnen having been defeated by the Blue Devils in the final minutes of 2025’s Reserves Grand Final.
NPL Women’s First Grade:
Match 2: NPL Women’s First Grade Preliminary Final- Belconnen United vs Canberra Olympic 4:00 pm Deakin Stadium
Belconnen United have another shot at Grand Final qualification in the second Preliminary Final of the day, as they take on Canberra Olympic at Deakin Stadium, with Canberra Croatia lying in wait next weekend.
The Blue Devils fell to Croatia on penalties for a second time this season, following a goalless full-time scoreline for the second week running between the top two in the Semi Final last weekend.
Scott Conlon’s side would have come away from the match feeling like they could have won it, and even had the ball in the back of the net late in the 90, only for Alina Roberts’ strike to be ruled out for offside.
Belconnen won three of three meetings with Olympic in 2026, however Victor Yanes’ side will feel confident off the back of a dominant display against Tuggeranong United last weekend.
Olympic came away with a 1-0 win against a quality Tuggeranong defence to set up another endeavour into the Preliminary Final, a finals match they won against Croatia after extra-time last season.
