A Round To Go - What's Still To Be Decided?
Well here we are, heading towards the last round of the 2018 season bar a couple of catch-up games still to be played.
We now know a lot more as to who are Champions and who are promoted but there's still some finals placings yet to be decided.
Here's how things now stand as we head towards the final round of fixtures this coming weekend... Flight Centre Brisbane Premier League:
Champions: Albany Creek
Runners-Up: Grange Thistle
Creek sealed the deal at the weekend with a resounding victory over North Pine to claim their first Flight Centre Brisbane Premier League title with a game to spare. Grange Thistle are assured of the runners-up spot although they will be disappointed at missing out on the title given they'd led the competition for much of the season. The 3rd and 4th finals spots are still up for grabs with four teams in contention - UQFC, Centenary Stormers, The Gap and Taringa Rovers all capable of making the finals series.
Two of those sides face each other in the final round with 3rd place UQFC hosting 4th place Centenary Stormers next Sunday evening, with both knowing what will be required after The Gap play Mt Gravatt and Taringa Rovers play Acacia Ridge. It could well prove to be a decider for who will make the top four. Relegated: Mt Gravatt & Virginia United. Mt Franklin Brisbane Women's Premier League:
Champions: Annerley
Runners-Up: Ipswich City Annerley secured the title in RD19 and are still yet to be defeated which is a huge achievement for Anthony Costa's side. Ipswich City were the dark horses in the league this season and securing the runners-up spot whilst UQFC confirmed 3rd place before their recent win at the weekend over Virginia United. That loss for United has set up a tense final round with Peninsula Power able to leap frog them should they fail to beat Pine Hills on Friday night. That said, Power face a stiff away trip to Ipswich City where only a win would see them in the finals. Relegated: Park Ridge & Holland Park Hawks. Viva Capital League 1:
Champions: To be decided Promoted: Caboolture & Toowong The Viva Capital League 1 title is yet to be decided although realistically it's Caboolture's to lose. If Caboolture were to slip up in their final round fixture and their catch-up game the following weekend, the door would be left open for Toowong to snatch the league title. It would need a miracle though for the Dunmore Park side as they must beat Ipswich City this coming weekend and also negate a 12 goal difference over Caboolture. One thing is confirmed though in that both Caboolture and Toowong will be playing Flight Centre Brisbane Premier League football in 2019. The remaining finals places are also confirmed with Annerley in 3rd and North Star in 4th competing in the post season dance off. Relegated: Oxley United & Park Ridge. Viva Capital League 2: Champions: AC Carina Promoted: AC Carina & Samford Rangers The Dolphins won the Viva Capital League 2 championship a couple of games back, having headed the competition the whole season. They are also undefeated but face an intriguing final round game against 2nd place Samford Rangers this Saturday. Can they maintain their undefeated season in the final round? No doubt Samford will want to prove a point and spoil that record. Clairvaux will finish in 3rd place whilst the other final spot in 4th is currently held by Westside Grovely who only need a point from their final round fixture away to Slacks Creek.
Should they succumb to a deafeat by Creek then both North Brisbane and Newmarket could jump above them into 4th to claim that final top four spot.
North Brisbane host Bardon Latrobe on the final day and have a superior goal difference to Westside whilst Newmarket host bottom side Narangba United on the final day. A win for either side, which many would think is the likely outcome, would put the pressure on Westside so they will undoubtedly be looking for at least that single point to ensure it's they that feature in the post season finals. Relegated: Narangba United.
Viva Capital League 3:
Champions: The Lakes FC Promoted: The Lakes FC & Brisbane Athletic The Lakes have turned around their 2018 season finish with Coach Mark Offer leading the side to the Viva Capital League 3 title and promotion. Undoubtedly the top two sides are worthy of their status although for Athletic, a slump in form in key games saw off their chances of claiming the championship. Both sides meet each other in a catch-up game which could prove to be a rehearsal for the grand final come season's end. Jimboomba United currently reside in 3rd spot whilst Ridge Hills United are in 4th place, with both sides assured of a crack at the finals series. Positions are perhaps unlikely to change given Jimboomba's final round game away to lowly Mooroondu on Sunday.
Hart Sport Women's Capital League:
Champions: The Lakes FC Promoted: The Lakes FC & Taringa Rovers In addition to Lakes' senior men claiming the Viva Capital League 3 title, the club's ladies have backed that up with the Hart Sport Women's Capital League championship to make it a double championship season for the club. Taringa Rovers have earned 2nd place and promotion to the Mt Franklin Brisbane Women's Premier League to see both the club's senior men and women playing top flight football again since the club last graced both divisions in 2012. North Brisbane claimed 3rd place whilst Toowong just edged out AC Carina on goal difference to claim the remaining finals spot.
