Woongarrah v Berkeley Vale
Round 2 Match of the Round of the 2025 MPL Season takes us to Hamlyn Terrace on Sunday afternoon as we get our first instalment of last year’s Grand Final rematch as Berkeley Vale looks to secure their first win of the season.
The Reigning League Champions recorded both victories over the Reigning Premiers during the winter season last year as both encounters provided plenty of goals.
Their first match saw Woongarrah pick up a 3-2 victory in round 10, and less than a month later the Wildcats beat Berkeley 5-4 which had a massive impact on the title race.
However, when these two sides met in the 2024 Finals Series it was a completely different story. Their major semi-final contest was one of the most one-sided affairs we have seen in finals history as Mark Pratt’s men claimed an emphatic 7-0 victory to book their place in the Grand Final.
Woongarrah bounced back from that heavy defeat, meeting the Wombats in the pinnacle game and it was Berkeley Vale who again rose to the occasion, claiming a 2-1 win to be awarded MPL First Grade Premiers for the first time in their 50-year history.
Woongarrah will be prepared for an intense battle on Sunday as they gear up for their first home game of the year. Round 1 for the returning Champions saw them pick up a 2-0 victory against Avoca as Luke Rogers men will be determined to make it two from two on Sunday.
Rogers credits a tremendous preseason as to why his team was able to hit the ground running in round 1, despite having some small issues to tweak and work on. “Preseason has been great. With the weather playing its part, we have been able this year to play all our organised trial games and cup matches.”
“Our finishing was below par last weekend. On the plus side, we created chances to score goals but just lacked that final polish to covert. Was very happy with the clean sheet.”
That result continues their tremendous run of form starting in the Association Cup. Woongarrah will look to make more history for the club after qualifying for the Grand Final where they will meet Budgewoi at Pluim Park on Anzac Day.
Although that marks a bid day in the calendar for the Wildcats, they will be focused on this matchup that lies ahead as Rogers anticipates a desperate Wombats side who have a point to prove come Sunday.
“After losing their Round 1 game, I’m expecting a fired-up Berkeley side desperate not to start the season with back-to-back losses.”
“For us to win, we have just got to improve on our round 1 performance and that will put us in good stead to fight for the points.”
It has not been an easy draw for Mark Pratt and his men who must face two of the top three sides from last season in their opening two fixtures.
On the final day of the season last year, Woongarrah, Berkeley and Kanwal all could have walked away with the crown of League Champions if things went their way which goes to show just how close of a competition it was.
Round 1 got underway this past Saturday night for the reigning Premiers Berkeley Vale. The Wombats hosted Kanwal under the bright lights of Mingara Oval and after a 7-goal thriller, Berkeley Vale were unsuccessful, going down 4-3 to the Bulls.
Conceding four goals was very uncharacteristic for this side who have boasted the best defence in the league for some time as Pratt reflected on what his side needs to do better ahead of the weekend.
“We need to execute our plans better to achieve the end result whilst we have been playing well, we haven’t been successful at some moments that we should be which can translate into putting pressure on ourselves rather than the opposition putting pressure on us.”
“As for preseason itself, it has been ok with no real issues, it’s been our results over the last three games that we have not been happy with.”
Including the Association Cup, that loss to Kanwal now marks a third straight loss for the Wombats who also come up short to Southern & Ettalong and Budgewoi.
With a big target on their back, things are only going to get tougher for Pratt’s men but that’s exactly why they were Grand Final winners in 2024, possessing the quality and desire it takes to be successful in this league.
For Pratt, despite their current run of form, his side will be sticking to their guns this weekend as they look to prove what they are capable of in their quest to be crowned back-to-back Premiers.
“Woongarrah look settled and are having a good start to the year so they will obviously be full of confidence. For us to be successful on Sunday we will need to execute our own game plan better while limiting opportunities to Woongarrah.”
Match Official – Anthony Kabbout
Round 2 Fixtures –
