Flight Centre Premier League Weekly Preview - RD22
And it comes down to the final round! Three teams can still win it - Peninsula, Rochedale or Lions, but everything hinges on Rovers game against Mitchelton at Underwood Park. If they fail to win, the door will be open for the other two to slip through. We'll be live streaming from Underwood Park so if you're out at one of the other games, be sure to charge your phone before you head off. We also have five more sides vying for fourth spot and the post season finals. It's been the most unpredictable season since I've been involved with the game which makes things tough when trying to predict the weekly winners and losers. That's my excuse anyway, and I'm sticking to it. On with the show...
Ipswich Knights vs Capalaba Saturday 5:15pm at Eric Evans Oval Ipswich Knights finally came to the end of their winning streak but it was impressive nonetheless when they only lost to a disputed goal at AJ Kelly Field. They haven't had anything to play for since their run of form started but still show all the motivation in the world. If there was an award for Most Improved, Knights name would already be on the trophy. Capalaba took their time but added their own special exclamation mark to 2017 with back to back wins over Mitchelton and Souths which possibly ended both of their seasons. They'll finish last regardless of the outcome but can now go into the off-season with a positive outlook. It will be even better if they can make it three wins in a row. Under different circumstances this would be unmissable. Two teams in great form at the wrong time. Prediction: 2-2 draw Holland Park Hawks vs Peninsula Power Saturday 6:30pm at Whites Hill Reserve Holland Park Hawks came from behind and kept their season alive with an 84th minute Josh Sherwood winner against Logan. In the context of the competition it also adds another compelling element to the drama. They've wobbled around and come up with all manner of results but the core element of a good squad remains. Home ground advantage is a considerable help. Peninsula Power stayed in title contention by literal inches when the ball narrowly crossed the line and ensured a 1-0 victory over Ipswich Knights last weekend. And now it comes down to needing Rochedale to lose and winning their last game away from home. It's been an enthralling second half of the season for Power but of course they still haven't won anything. Any result is possible from this game but if Peninsula get in front and the game opens up they could run away with it. Prediction: Power 3-0 Rochedale Rovers vs Mitchelton Saturday 6:30pm at Underwood Park Rochedale Rovers dealt with the pressure and a tricky opponent last week, leaving them one win from the Holy Grail. It's not going to be easy, that's for sure. A pumped up opposition are sure to have plenty of chances to score and going behind could add an extra level of mental stress. There is nothing to suggest they won't come away with the goods and the silverware. Mitchelton have lost their way at precisely the wrong time with the big loss to Capalaba setting the scene for their 2-0 defeat last week by Easts. It's all down to ninety minutes but they can still make the finals even if they lose. Unfortunately, the most likely scenario sees them missing out with a handful of clubs lining up behind them. They'll need to be at their best. Mitchelton have an uncanny knack for looking awful then playing much better. Rovers are in form and have the better squad. Prediction: Rovers 2-0 Lions FC vs Logan FC Saturday 6.30pm at Lions Stadium Lions FC need some big efforts from HPH and Mitchelton if they are to come from behind and win the title, just like everyone thought they would. If nothing else, on some of their performances, they are lucky to be in this position. Last weekend they played really well against Grange Thistle so who knows? They may have little to play for by halftime in this game. Logan FC have to be thankful with the restructure of the leagues because if that wasn't happening, this would be a relegation battle. Last week another loss at home was added to the record even though they took the lead into halftime. They'll need to improve next season if they are to be successful in the FQPL. If the title race is still alive, they could be under massive pressure in the second half at Richlands. Of all the games being played this weekend, this is the only one that looks easy to predict, depending on other results. Prediction: Lions 2-0 Souths United vs Albany Creek Saturday 7pm at Wakerley Park Souths United can somehow still make the finals. That's pretty amazing in itself because the last three games have been nothing short of a nightmare. Apart from favourites winning, they also need Grange to get past Easts which is no walk in the park. With the calamitous state of affairs at the moment it's hard to see them making an impact if they do sneak into fourth place. Albany Creek need a bag load of goals and Rochedale to pummel Mitchelton if they are to claw back an eight goal deficit which is unlikely, but it is possible. It's not a ridiculous amount. And on last week's narrow loss, and excellent performance, they deserve to be short-priced favourites to win on the artificial surface. It would take a miracle but they would make solid opponents in the post-season. Creek gave Souths a real touch-up at Wolter Park and will be tough to get by again. Souths look dire. Prediction: ACE 4-1
Eastern Suburbs vs Grange Thistle Saturday 7pm at Heath Park Eastern Suburbs come into this game with the advantage of a later kick off than Mitchelton ensuring they know for the last half an hour if a point will be enough to see them through. Unless Souths are up by four goals over ACE. It's the last piece in the conundrum. Despite being in fifth they are favourites to make the finals. Massive game for the Tigers. Grange Thistle have done everything in their power to add to the strength of the Flight Centre Premier League and it's a mark of their tenacity that they have every chance of winning this game even though they got hammered last weekend. They are likely to be one of the favourites in next year's Flight Centre Premier League so it would be a moral victory if they avoid what would have normally been a relegation spot. If Rochedale fulfil their own part of the equation, Eastern Suburbs have enough to start planning for the finals. Prediction: Easts 3-1
