The final round of the 2023 NPL Queensland Men’s regular season is here with four teams still in contention for the fourth and final finals berth heading into the weekend’s Round 22 action.
Fourth placed Lions host second placed Moreton Bay knowing a win will be enough to secure finals football while the Jets can lock in second spot and a home final with three points.
Saturday’s clash at Luxury Paints Stadium will also prove pivotal in the golden boot race with the competition’s two top scorers, Marquez Walters (16 goals) & Andy Pengelly (15 goals) going head-to-head.
Two sides looking to capitalise on a potential slip up from either side at Luxury Paints Stadium are fifth placed Brisbane City and third placed Gold Coast United who face off at Coplick Sports Park.
Both teams start the weekend a point behind the side directly above them and whilst United’s first ever final berth is secured City must better Lions result if they’re to join United in the top four.
Another side who need the teams above them to drop points if they’re to squeeze into the top four are sixth placed Peninsula Power, who start the weekend two points outside the finals positions and host Redlands United at AJ Kelly Park.
Power haven’t tasted defeat in the league since Aaron Philp took charge of the side in April and would complete a remarkable turn around if they’re able to sneak into the finals after sitting last six rounds into the 2023 season.
Freshly crowned Premiers Gold Coast Knights head to Underwood Park to face seventh placed Rochedale Rovers on Saturday night.
Saturday’s match marks the start of another busy week for the Knights who host Western United in the Australia Cup on Wednesday night while Rochedale need to win and hope Lions, City and Power all drop points if they’re snatch fourth spot.
Elsewhere Sunshine Coast Wanderers and Brisbane Roar who are both out of finals contention face off at Ballinger Park while relegated duo Olympic & Eastern Suburbs do battle at Goodwin Park.
Their replacements in Queensland’s top tier for 2024 are likely to become much clearer this weekend with Surfers Paradise Apollo able to secure their promotion with a win while Wynnum Wolves and Logan Lightning are also in the mix for the second spot.
All of the weekend’s NPL Queensland Men’s Round 22 matches kick off at 6pm on Saturday and will be live streamed on FQTV and the Football Queensland YouTube channel.