MINOR SEMI FINAL
Berkeley Vale v Kanwal
It’s do or die for these two teams come Saturday night as Berkeley Vale must put together three perfect performances to reach their goal of back-to-back Premiers, while a determined Kanwal side will be desperate to shake their Finals slump from recent years.
In their previous encounters so far this season, it’s a win each for these two sides who have been evenly matched throughout these fixtures.
Their first battle was on opening day as Kanwal rocked up to Mingara Oval and after a seven-goal thriller, the Bulls took all three points back home in a 4-3 victory.
When these two sides met again, Berkeley stole victory at the death thanks to a Conor Fitzpatrick goal in the 92nd minute which saw the Wombats win 2-1.
In both meetings these two sides were evenly matched and the final MPL ladder also had these two sides neck-and-neck with Berkeley Vale only capturing two more points than Kanwal over 18 rounds.
“Kanwal is always a tough opponent so one win and one loss is no surprise. We just need to match them in effort and hopefully come out on top,” voiced Mark Pratt.
Berkeley Vale finished the winter season with 10 wins, 6 losses, and 2 draws in 2025. As Pratt reflected on the year, he mentioned the belief within the squad which will be a vital attribute heading into the Finals.
“I think the most impressive thing this season is the belief that the players have in each other every time we play and the trust that they have in not only each other but the coaches that try to guide them along different paths at times they always without exception believe in what we do”
Pratt also mentioned some of the challenges his side has faced, “It’s quite obvious that our biggest hurdle has been consistency over the year.”
“We are now in a position that we don’t have to worry about that, we just need to win the next game and deal with what comes after that.”
Berkeley enters this weekend only claiming one win in their last six fixtures. Another worrying stat for the Wombats ahead of this weekend is that this side have only recorded four goals throughout this stretch of games.
Despite these alarming numbers, we have seen in the past what this side is capable of when stepping onto Pluim Park for Finals, in particular, their 7-0 thrashing over League Champions Woongarrah last season in the Major Semi-Final.
Berkeley will also gain confidence from playing at Pluim Park. This pristine surface allows the Wombats to play their free-flowing possession football that you can expect to see in full effect come Saturday.
Pratt listed the keys to success for his club in his final words ahead of the weekend’s clash. “We need to turn up and play to the best of our ability and if we can achieve that then hopefully, we are around for another week.”
This Kanwal group, including head coach Ryan Walker, would have been itching to get back on the big stage after going out of the 2024 Finals Series last year again without a win.
It’s a major talking point around this Bull’s side heading into the post-season who are without a Finals win in the last four years, including being knocked out in straight sets after a second-place finish.
Ryan Walker is well aware of the monkey on his pack heading into Saturday’s fixture but is confident his side has learnt from the past. “Yeah, obviously it’s a stat that isn’t great.”
“However, we have always had a young group and I think the experience we have taken out of those opportunities will make us better this time round.”
Walker also took time to reflect on the ups and downs his side have faced throughout the season. “Just like most teams when you get hit with injury it’s always a challenge however I think this year our depth has really improved and has got us over the line a lot.”
“The standard of the competition is so high this year and to make the finals is a great achievement.”
Although Kanwal went down 5-0 to their local rivals Woongarrah last weekend, having already secured a top-four finish, Kanwal elected to rest the majority of their playing group so they are fresh and raring to go this weekend.
With their sights now locked on defeating Berkeley Vale this weekend, Walker knows defeating the opposition won’t be an easy feat and thinks the results will come down to the team that can perform the one percenters.
“Berka are a class outfit and even though they haven’t had the best of form of late, I still think they will be very hard to beat. They love to play out and I can imagine a lot of fields on the coast do not help their style of play however Pluim is not one of those”
“I think both teams are very familiar with each other’s game plan by now, so I think it will come down to who can make the fewest mistakes and who can capitalise on their opponents’ ones.”
MAJOR SEMI FINAL
Budgewoi v Southern & Ettalong
The two most consistent teams of this year’s MPL competition will go head-to-head this Sunday at Pluim Park with the winner booking their place in the 2025 First Grade Grand Final, a feat neither club has reached in over a decade.
It has been quite a turnaround for this Budgewoi squad, who were only promoted back into the MPL competition last year after a nine-year hiatus. Their first-place finish this season marked a 17-year wait since the club last were the First Grade League Champions.
Budgewoi’s depth goes beyond just First Grade with the club also winning the 2025 Men’s Club Championship, a feat Haydn Appo is extremely proud of. “It’s a huge achievement and one that reflects the strength of the entire club, not just one team. Winning the Club Championship shows the depth, commitment, and culture that runs right through Budge.”
“For me personally, it’s a proud moment because it highlights the effort of our players, staff, volunteers, and families, not just this year, but since returning in 2023. Overseeing the senior squads, the priority was to bring back some old-school Budgie players and staff. Building with people you know and trust makes the journey special, and it’s something I’ll look back on with real pride in the years to come.”
Our League Champions Budgewoi have hardly put a foot wrong this season, finishing the year with 17 wins and only 1 loss. Budgewoi also boasts the best attacking and defensive record throughout the league.
Haydn Appo’s men have scored an incredible 70 goals in 18 fixtures, and an average of 3.8 goals a game whilst only recording 13 goals against.
Of these 70 goals, 53 of them come from the attacking quartet of Tajh Werner (16), Chris Lennon (15), Charlie Entwistle (11), and Stuart Adams (11) as Werner also leads the pack of the rest of the competition, taking home the 2025 MPL Golden Boot award with his 16 goals.
“I’ve been most impressed with the squad’s resilience and togetherness,” voiced Appo.” Despite injuries, tough opposition, and wet weather, the group has consistently dug in for each other.”
“It hasn’t just been about talent; it’s been about attitude, standards, and commitment. Players have embraced their roles, pushed each other at training, and stayed focused on our goals.”
“Bringing Corey into the squad has also been a game-changer; his sessions are outstanding and have lifted the players’ belief. Trust and commitment have underpinned our minor premiership, leaving us well-prepared for the major semi.”
Their only loss of the season did come against this Southern outfit back in Round 2. During that fixture, Southern took a 2-0 lead early inside the opening 20 minutes before Budgewoi clawed their way back to 2-2. However, Southern were able to find the winning goal in the second period to record a 3-2 victory.
In the reverse fixture at their home ground, Budgewoi dominated the opposition to record a 3-0 victory as goalkeeper Nathan Denton was a standout on that day, dealing with Southern’s dangerous threat from long throw-ins and set pieces.
Having their only loss come in round 2, Budgewoi enter the weekend on a 16-game winning streak as confidence is at an all-time high for this squad and despite knowing the strengths the opposition possesses, Appo is confident in his team.
“Southern are a quality side, and the results and table show just how tight things are between us. They’re well-structured, disciplined, and can punish you if you switch off. Our win and loss against them have both been good reminders that nothing comes easy in this competition.”
“We respect what they bring, but we also know if we play to our strengths, we can get the job done.”
As for their opponents, it has been an incredible year for Matt Page and his Southern & Ettalong squad who haven’t got enough credit for the second-place finish.
This team also has only recorded one loss throughout the season, finishing the regular season with a record of 15 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss with a total of 47 points. That points total would have been enough to see this side finish in first place four out of previous five years.
Southern have also been a force in front of goal throughout the season, netting 65 goals in their 18 fixtures. But unlike Budgewoi, this side has shared their goals around the park a lot more, including a combined 12 goals coming from their centre backs Todd Balneaves and Jack Jenkins.
Southern will enter this weekend with a major boost after coming off a 3-1 win over last year’s Premiers Berkeley Vale and are hoping this will take them a step further in this year’s Finals Series as they look to make it to the pinnacle match.
The main difference between Matt Page’s Southern side this season compared to last would be the depth as he talked more about the privilege he has had coaching this squad in 2025.
“Probably the most impressive thing has been the cohesiveness and adaptability within the squad. We welcomed some quality players from around the coast in the preseason, who decided to join our club for the right reasons, and they’ve added that depth to our squad that is needed to compete at the top.”
“With players being unavailable for periods throughout the year, we’ve used 31 different players in 1st grade. Every one of them has slotted in seamlessly and really contributed to getting us to where we are now, with a shot at the big prize.”
Although Southern have two chances of making the Grand Final thanks to their second-place finish, their eyes are firmly set on taking down the League Champions this Sunday, but Page knows that is easier said than done.
“Budge recruited well in the off-season and now have quality players in every position and on the bench. They are well drilled, know their roles and are a pretty formidable side.”
“Those two encounters showed that both teams are capable of beating each other, though Budge were slightly better in the league as a whole. Dropping only one game, scoring 70 and only conceding 13, is some achievement, especially in the Premier League nowadays and something they should be applauded for.”
Page also added, “It will take a massive effort from our guys to try to halt the momentum they’ve built up over the season and we will have to be on our game in every facet to have a chance of getting one over them here.”
“The boys are up for the challenge though and ready to give it a crack.”
Semi-Final Fixtures –
