The Weekly Wash-Up
It was catch-up weekend time again to bring us relatively up to date with the majority of outstanding fixtures before heading into the final two rounds of the season.
As is the case at this time of the season, a few things were confirmed and a few were not…
Here's the five things we took note of from the most recent action. #1:: Mitchelton Claim Title
Mitchelton's Mt Franklin Women's Premier League side sealed the 2017 title on Sunday evening following a convincing 8-0 win over The Gap at Walton Bridge Reserve with two games to spare, as they claimed back to back premierships following their 2016 success. It's no surprise as they've been the clear leaders for the entire season but of course the big question now is, can they go through the entire season with their 100% winning record intact? Next week could well be the test when they head to second placed Capalaba, who themselves have found good form at the right time. Their league form can not be refuted though and a 100% winning record would be a great achievement. It’s been built on the back of one of the best defensive records you’ll see - just 7 goals conceded in 16 games is exceptional. They also hit the 100 goals scored mark at the weekend too when Teisha Schirmer netted against Gap. One thing Mitchelton will however be unable to achieve from last season is the league and cup double, having been dumped out of the Elaine Watson Cup by Peninsula Power and which could prove to be their only loss from the entire 2017 season.
#2:: Capalaba Claim Men's City League Cup
Two extra time goals for Capalaba Bulldogs earned them the Men's City League Cup against fellow City League 2 side Souths United on Saturday evening at Goodwin Park. Interestingly, it was the second straight year the final has required extra time to find the winner and it's also the first time since the Men's City League Cup has featured sides outside of City League 1 since it's inception in 2013 from the former Veto/Metro Cup. Just as in 2016, the goal that sealed victory for the winners was one to behold for it's audacity. You can view it in the Goals and Saves of the Week that will be published on Tuesday.
#3:: The Deciders
More of a look ahead to next weekend where some huge games are set to take place that could well decide a few things. We mentioned before how in the Mt Franklin Women's Premier League that Capalaba in second host Premiers Mitchelton, which could see Mitchie all but seal the elusive 100% record. But we also have some other big clashes coming up starting on Friday night where Centenary Stormers can seal the Capital League 2 title should they overcome Annerley at Elder Oval. A draw away to Western Spirit meant they are still within the reach of second placed Virginia United. But three points on Friday night will seal the premiership. On Saturday we have the Capital League 4 blockbuster when Samford Rangers in second spot host league leaders North Brisbane. Samford are in the box seat with them having a game in hand over their title rivals but they cannot afford to slip up against North Brisbane who themselves would be favourites to take out the title with their hosting Mooroondu in their final game the following week, should they defeat Rangers. A win for Samford would see them leapfrog the Aces and look the most likely to claim the premiership with two games remaining. Finally on Sunday, a win for St George Willawong against Newmarket will see them confirmed as Capital League 3 Champions but should Caboolture slip up away at Westside the day before, the Saints would be premiers without even kicking a ball. Undoubtedly all eyes will be focused on updates coming out of Grovely Sports Ground on Saturday night before attention turns to St George's Park 24 hours later.
#4:: Creek Reach Semi-Final
One result that did slip by relatively unnoticed was the first of the Quarter Final ties in the Pig 'N' Whistle Canale Cup where Albany Creek moved a step closer to their first piece of silverware in a long long time, following their 4-2 win over Eastern Suburbs last Friday night. A Chom Arop double doing the damage whilst a certain PlayStation4 NPL Coach in the shape of Adam Piddick, also got amongst the goal scorers just 48 hours after guiding his side to a Round of 32 Westfield FFA Cup success at Wolter Park. The other three ties are set to be played next two days and we'll preview those later today.
#5:: Golden Boot Standings
Finally we take a look at the Golden Boot standings as we head into the last two rounds of the regular season. In the Flight Centre Premier League it's a tight contest with Rochedale Rovers’ Kado Aoci leading the way on 16 goals. Albany Creek's Chom Arop and Lions FC's Tynan Diaz are close on his heels on 14 goals with Eastern Suburbs' Jordan Farina on 13 and Mitchelton's Antonio Murray on 12. It does look to be between the top three though. In the Mt Franklin Women's Premier League, Mitchelton strike duo Jamie MacFarlane and Darcie Wilson are the two front runners and it looks to be between those two with them having struck 33 and 30 goals respectively. It could be fitting for the pair to finish level come season’s end. Capital League 1 also looks to be between two players with Acacia Ridge's Juan Jaimes and North Pine's Shuto Kuboyama leading the way on 19 goals each whilst The Gap's Ryuhei Nose follows on just 13 goals and unlikely to catch the top two. Capital League 2 sees four players battling it out with Annerley's James Gorrie leading the way on 24 goals, followed by Ipswich City's Ryan Adekoya New on 23, whilst Centenary Stormers’ Shoheel Khan sits on 19 goals as it looks to be between those three players for the honour. Capital League 3 has former Flight Centre Premier League player James Fairgrieve dominating and pretty much unassailable on 20 goals, which is made all the more remarkable as he's only featured 12 times for Caboolture Sports since joining from Peninsula Power during the season. Four players follow, Sam Heaney (Caboolture) on 15 and the other three all on 14 goals each with Alistair Baird (Newmarket), David Grecl (St Gorge Willwong) and Shannon Mavrick (Bardon Latrobe), but all looking unlikely to catch Fairgrieve. Capital League 4 looks set to be comprehensively claimed by the same player who took out the overall Capital Leagues Golden Boot in 2016, being Samford Rangers’ Dane Forsyth. He sits on 28 goals and is 12 goals clear of Springfield United's Kevin Barraclough in second spot. Finally in the Capital League Women's competition, Alexis Ball heads the standings on 18 goals with Jemima Moore four goals behind on 14 and Jessica Barnes on 13 goals.
