NPL2 title to be decided on Super Saturday
Three teams in contention. Two key matches. And one team who can spoil the party. That’s the outlook for the NPL2 Premiership as we get set for a blockbuster Saturday that will decide who takes home the prize. At ANU South Oval, ANU FC (1st spot, 34 points) host O’Connor Knights (2nd spot, 33 points) knowing that if ANU win then they will be Premiers. At Woden Park at the same time, White Eagles (3rd spot, 33 points) will take on Brindabella (9th spot, 6 points) looking for a win, and hoping that there is a draw over at ANU.
The Premiership trophy will remain undecided on it's final holders. If O’Connor overcome ANU then they are in the box seat for the title, but need to ensure they are not overtaken on goal difference if White Eagles put in a strong performance at Woden Park. The last time ANU and O’Connor met, it was the Knights who prevailed in a 3-1 victory at Kaleen thanks to goals from Thomas Cosentini, Robert Hrstic and Josip Jadric but since then it has been the ANU show.
Jim Dawson’s side have dropped points only once in the second half of the season, a draw in round 10 with White Eagles, and have won their last six league matches straight scoring 31 goals in the process. Rowan Peterkin and Andrew Manley have been key parts of the run and sit first and second in the Golden Boot table, but their opponent’s will be well and truly up for this game.
The Knights scored twice in the final ten minutes last weekend to keep their Premiership fight alive and will be on the front foot for a repeat of the round nine result. Since that win they have won five of their seven matches as well, picking up 16 of a possible 21 points to fire into contention.
The one team involved in the two matches not in contention is Brindabella, and they may well relish the opportunity to spoil White Eagles’ party. Holding the Eagles to a draw or even just netting against them would make life harder for Graeme Plath’s men, and the visitors will be looking to finish their season on a high after a tough year.
The Top Four |
Elsewhere, Queanbeyan and Weston Molonglo remain in contention for the last finals spot. Queanbeyan just need a win against Narrabundah to secure their spot in finals after a rough start to the campaign, while Weston require a win and City to drop points at the AIS. Weston take on Southern Tablelands who they beat 3-0 on the road earlier in the season, and will hope that Narrabundah can repeat their round nine efforts with taking points against Queanbeyan.
NPL Round 18 |
Narrabundah v Queanbeyan City | Saturday, 3pm @ AIS Grass 2
ANU FC v O’Connor Knights | Saturday, 3pm @ ANU South Oval
Canberra White Eagles v Brindabella Blues | Saturday, 3pm @ Woden Park
Southern Tablelands v Weston Molonglo | Sunday, 3pm @ Cookbundoon
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