Next Sunday's National Women's League Grand Final, between Eastern Suburbs and Western Springs from 2pm at Mt. Smart Stadium, will bring the curtain down on what has been the longest women's football season in New Zealand's history. For the majority of teams, this weekend marked the end of an arduous campaign which has seen players and coaching staff training since mid-February, and ultimately playing in the vicinity of forty matches over the course of the year - demanding fare for professionals, never mind young women who have to squeeze in studies and other commitments around the hugely significant one they're making to the beautiful game. Before embarking on the final wrap-up of the year, I'll take this opportunity to, on behalf of the masses, personally thank every single player - plus the coaching staff, match officials and other volunteers involved in the women's game in 2022 - for their unstinting efforts and dedication to their sport throughout a year like no other in NZ women's football's history. Many of you may not have medals to show for your efforts this year, but you've all shown the qualities of true champions, and Lord knows you've earned the welcome break from football you're now embarking upon. Enjoy it immensely! Onto the action, and there was plenty of it under the William Green Domain candlesticks on Friday night as "The Lilywhites" edged "The Hoops" 3-2 in a dress rehearsal for their Grand Final showdown on Sunday. Nicole Mettam broke the deadlock on the quarter hour, and rattled the crossbar soon afterwards as Suburbs started strongly. Springs came back well, however, and drew level eleven minutes before half-time courtesy a Sammi Tawharu piledriver. Suburbs' response was almost instant, Deven Jackson firing them back in front four minutes later. But Springs would not go away, and after twice being denied by some brilliant defending by Rebekah Van Dort, the visitors drew level on the stroke of half-time through Sofia Garcia. "The Lilywhites" went ahead for a third time eleven minutes into the second spell, Nicole Cooper this time leading the celebrations. It proved to be the only goal of the half, but only thanks to Van Dort, whose superb block of a Sophia Dyer drive in stoppage time prevented Springs from drawing level at the death. That result meant Suburbs finished seven points clear of Springs in the final standings, with Northern Rovers a further four points back in third after they fought out a 1-1 draw with Southern United in a battle royal at McFetridge Park. There was little between the teams throughout proceedings, with both sides striving for victory to give their respective coaches, Rovers' Ben Bate and United's Graeme Smaill, the fitting farewells both

deserved as they head for pastures new, in Bate's case, and retirement in the case of one of the southern region's most loyal servants where women's football is concerned. In the end, a point apiece was the outcome, Kelli Brown's penalty on the stroke of half-time matched by Toni Power's deflected free-kick with four minutes left on the clock, and United down to ten with Kennedy Bryant forced off following a head clash and all available substitutes having been used. Neither Canterbury United Pride nor Capital Football got to kick a ball in anger at English Park in the final round of National Women's League action, with our old friend Covid paying a visit to the Cantabrians' camp. A scoreless draw was declared by NZ Football, meaning Pride finished ahead of Southern on goal difference in fourth place. Sixth place was claimed in the final minutes of the campaign by Auckland United, who came from behind to down Central Football 2-1 at Massey University, where Maddi Hughes' delicious chip of makeshift goalkeeper Maureen Fitzpatrick gave the home team an eighth minute lead. Bree Johnson went closest to equalising when rattling a post in the second spell, but the visitors eventually found a way through, Georgia Martin heading home unchallenged from a 73rd minute corner. Johnson was splendidly denied by Sophie Campbell in the 88th minute as United pursued a winner, which they got from the resulting corner, Rebekah Trewhitt having the misfortune to head into her own net when attempting to head clear. There was still time for Central to equalise, and they came within inches of doing, Fitzpatrick pulling off a remarkable save to prevent Lilly Dowsing turning the ball home from virtually on the line. It was another tough result to take for the bottom-placed team, who at least have the consolation of a win to look back on this season, something which hasn't always been the case in their National Women's League campaigns. As next Sunday's Grand Final will be covered by a full match report, this marks the final review of the 2022 season, so I take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and look forward to seeing you at either "The Caketin" on January 18, or Eden Park on January 21 as our Football Ferns take on the reigning world champions, Team USA. Details: Canterbury United Pride 0, Capital Football 0 Central Football 1 (M. Hughes (8)), Auckland United 2 (G. Martin (73), "oggie" (89))  HT 1-0 Eastern Suburbs 3 (N. Mettam (15), D. Jackson (38), N. Cooper (56)), Western Springs 2 (S. Tawharu (34), S. Garcia (43))  HT 2-2 Northern Rovers 1 (K. Brown (44 pen)), Southern United 1 (T. Power (86))  HT 1-0