NWL : A STUTTERING START

Capital's Mickey Robertson in action against Auckland in last seasons NWL PHOTO TJF Photos

OK, so after stating that it looked like myself and Jeremy Ruane would be the main coverage for the National Women's League this season, the others such as Stuff, NZF etc have stepped up (even if NZF listed the wrong head coach for WaiBOP in their press release) and I............well life and things like that got in the way. Although with Capital not having played at home yet it's hard to get in to the season (especially when their results have been a 6-0 and 2-0 loss!). Still their first game is on Sunday (2pm KO at Petone Memorial) so it's as good as time as any to look at the first two weeks and forward to the games this weekend.

Media Coverage

While it was a slow start, its starting to look better all the time with NZF and (some of) the Federations releasing content and providing coverage.

NZ Football have got into videos, mainly of player interviews. Which can be viewed on their Facebook page (or twitter and Instagram). While this is good they really need to watch the final version before they send it out, players interviews are great and sometimes background music helps, especially when its a short snippet type interview that they seem to prefer, however the music they play isn't background and it dominates the video so much so that you can't actually hear the player being interviewed!

Luckily NZF isn't the only one providing coverage of this sort, in particular Northern Lights, and Southern United are pretty on to it, while Capital have retained the services of Kimberley K who makes great videos like these ones 

Also Stuff are running regular preview and reviews thanks to Andrew Voerman. If he wasn't there banging the drum for Women's football I'm reasonably sure they wouldn't really bother.

On the alternative media, it's not so great news last seasons excellent podcast, The Return Fixture, won't be returning and the one time award winning In The Back Of The Net has also finished. However the site's editor, Enzo Giordani, is into new projects, including a NWL focused one. Yes despite twice seeing his beloved WaiBOP throw away leads and lose games in the 90+ minute of games last season, he is back for more and is following them to every game this season in his new blog aptly named The Ninety-Fifth Minute

THE STORY SO FAR

Only two weeks gone but the table is already getting a familiar look too it with Canterbury United Pride storming to the top with 6-0 and 4-0 wins. South Island rivals Southern United join them at the top also with two wins (6-0 & 1-0) although the second one, 1-0 away to WaiBOP was described as a very lucky win, with them getting a penalty in the last minute.

Northern Lights and Auckland started with a win each but due to the annoying bye, have only played one game each so far.

Meanwhile, WaiBOP, Capital & Central seem to be setting out the battle for the bottom, with all three yet to score a goal never mind a point!

THIS WEEKENDS GAMES

Southern United : 2nd

Northern Lights : 4th

Last season  : Southern United 1 Northern Lights 2

MY PICK : Southern United by 1

Southern United take their game against Northern Lights to Invercargill. A little known fact is that Southland were one of the foundation members of the NZWFA and also a key association in setting up the National Tournament, which provided the highest level of competition for women before the National League was formed. Hopefully the local Southland football community get out and support the team in what should be a cracking game.

Time was for Southern that these sort of previews more often than not noted when the last time they managed to score against the opposition. Not so now, the last three meetings between these teams have seen a win apiece and a draw. Northern won the corresponding fixture last year 2-1 but I have a feeling Southern will edge it this season

Capital Football : 6th

Auckland : 3rd

Last season  : Capital 2 Auckland 2

MY PICK : Draw

With a new coach, Capital are still finding their feet, it will be interesting to see how they line up, from what I've seen of the team line ups so far I'm not sure they have really worked out their best combinations yet.

Auckland don't have a good record against Capital, winning only two of their last seven games, however the last two meetings ended in draws and I think that'll be the case again this time

Central : 7th

WaiBOP : 5th

Last season  : Central 1 WaiBOP 0

MY PICK WaiBOP by a couple

Central managed only one win last season and it came with a last minute goal against WaiBOP. It was also Central's only win against WaiBOP in their last nine meetings.
Central seem up against it again this season with another young squad. WaiBOP have been improving and were unlucky to lose against Southern last week. While there have been several changes at WaiBOP I think there will be enough of a memory of last years agonising defeat to ensure that they run out winners this time.

So if you are in or can get to Invercargill, Petone or Palmerston North get along to a game
If you're not here's a tip check out the facebook pages of the federations as you may be surprised to find the game live streamed.