By Joan Grey
Round two of the Lotto NRFL Women’s Premier League this weekend will provide further insight into the strong teams for the 2023 season.
It’s early days and exciting match-ups this weekend will give clubs another chance to prove they have what it takes.
All four Women’s Premier League games are to be played this Sunday.
Game of the week
Suburbs continue their solid form after winning the Women’s National League last season.
Though Suburbs are without captain Rebekah Van Dort this season — after her move to Canada — they have bolstered their 2023 squad with six new signings, two imports from Japan and three from Western Springs.
READ MORE: Eastern Suburbs make new signings as they start defence of their national title >>>>
Suburbs’ grabbed a 3-1 victory over cross-town rivals Auckland United last weekend and will face West Coast Rangers on Sunday with a spring in their step.
Rangers will also be on a high after last weekend’s dominant 4-0 win over Hamilton Wanderers.
Riley Sheldon, McKenzie Longmuir, and Cat Smith, three new signings from Northern Rovers, were part of the starting eleven for West Coast Rangers last weekend and have helped them get off to a strong start.
But it will be a hefty task for Rangers to take three points from national champions Suburbs.
Players to watch
Suburbs stars Deven Jackson and 2022 National League Golden Boot winner Tayla O’Brien were called into the Football Ferns for friendlies against world champions the USA in January.
Jackson and O’Brien each earned a New Zealand cap playing against the likes of the United States’ Rose Lavelle and Trinity Rodman.
That international experience will surely have strengthened their game, and they will be potent in the Suburbs’ attack this season.
READ MORE: Golden Boot winner among five new faces in Ferns squad to face United States >>>>
Games to be played on Sunday April 2, 2023
Auckland United v Hibiscus Coast
Keith Hay Park, Auckland, 1pm
Northern Rovers v Western Springs
McFetridge Park, Auckland, 1pm
Hamilton Wanderers v Ellerslie
Porritt Stadium, Hamilton, 1pm
Eastern Suburbs v West Coast Rangers
William Green Domain, Bucklands Beach, 5pm
Standings
Joan Grey
Friends of Football writer Joan Grey loves playing and writing about football. She attends ACG Strathallan College and plays football for Franklin United.
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