The final round of the NPLWA – Men’s competition sees most focus on the bottom half of the league - even though the title race is officially undecided.
That is because league leaders Perth RedStar will conclude formalities tomorrow away at Olympic Kingsway, barring a three-point and 21-goal swing in favour of Stirling Macedonia. It is not happening.
Which means Callum Salmon’s side will be crowned NPLWA – Men’s champions for 2023 and collect their second league title in four years.
Kingsway, meanwhile, are guaranteed a place in the post-season following promotion from Division One last season, and David Tough’s team will host the minor semi-final against fourth if they take three points.
But for drama, the place to be on Saturday will be Grindleford Reserve as 10th-placed Balcatta Etna host bottom side Cockburn City.
With just three points separating seventh and 12th going into Round 22, the fight to avoid relegation is well and truly on with four of the sides in the mix facing each other.
This year there is also the added jeopardy of a possible second relegation place, with the team who finishes 11th going into a four-team play-off with the sides who finish second, third and fourth in Men’s State League Division One.
Two key players in the battle at the bottom are Balcatta and Cockburn, with the latter starting the afternoon two points adrift of their opponents.
Only a win will ensure Steve McDonald’s Cockburn side are not relegated to the second tier for the first time since 1974. But they can take heart from being unbeaten in their past six league games against Etna.
Balcatta, meanwhile, are guaranteed safety if they break a winless run of eight matches. A draw could also see them avoid the play-offs if results elsewhere go their way.
2023 league champions Athena are the team who currently occupy the relegation play-off spot, sandwiched in between Balcatta and Cockburn. They host Perth Glory who sit seventh but can also finish the season second bottom.
Twelve months ago Floreat claimed three points on the last day to take the title. This year is a completely different story as they require a win to be assured of maintaining their top-flight status.
Defeat for Athena could see them relegated for the first time since the early 1980s, if Cockburn beat Balcatta. A draw will be enough to keep them safe from the drop automatically, given Cockburn’s inferior goal difference, but they would face staying in the relegation play-off spot depending on other results.
Glory, who cannot be relegated automatically, will avoid the play-offs with a draw.
Inglewood looked in real trouble two weeks ago but successive wins against Sorrento and Cockburn have given them genuine hope of staying up. They currently sit ninth and on the same points as Floreat and Balcatta, but with a better goal difference than that of all of their rivals. Unless they lose by at least six goals against Stirling then they will avoid finishing bottom.
Sorrento in eighth are another team safe from automatic relegation, and a draw at home to Armadale will all but be enough for Steve McGarry’s team to survive outright. If the Gulls are beaten, then they will require one of Inglewood, Floreat or Balcatta to also lose or they could drop into the play-offs.
Opponents Armadale will arrive full of confidence after back-to-back wins in new coach Alun Vernals’ opening two matches. Armadale, who are fifth, have to win and hope Perth SC lose to Bayswater City if they are to have a chance of pinching the last of the Top Four Cup places. A win for Perth will see them finish third, if Kingsway fail to beat RedStar.
Who needs what?
1 Perth RedStar (40pts / +28) – Olympic Kingsway (A)
Will become 2023 NPLWA – Men’s champions barring a loss to Olympic, a win for Stirling over Inglewood and a 21-goal swing in Stirling’s favour. Even Steven Bradbury couldn’t pull this one off.
2 Stirling Macedonia (37pts / +8) – Inglewood United (A)
Since returning to the top flight, they have finished third and now second. Head coach Ian Ferguson will want a strong performance heading into the Top Four Cup.
3 Olympic Kingsway (33pts / +3) – Perth RedStar (H)
A win over RedStar and they end the season in third and a home final. Draw or lose and they can be overtaken by Perth SC.
4 Perth SC (32pts / +2) – Bayswater City (A)
A draw guarantees a top-four finish, and if they better Kingsway’s result then they will finish third and host the minor semi-final. A loss opens the door for Armadale (and possibly opponents Bayswater) to take the final Top Four Cup spot.
5 Armadale (29pts / -1) – Sorrento FC (A)
Two weeks ago they looked like they could be dragged into the relegation mire. Now an outside chance of making the finals. Need to win, Perth SC to lose and a three-goal swing in their favour.
6 Bayswater (29pts / -5) – Perth SC (H)
To make the top four they must beat Perth by four goals and hope Armadale drop points at Sorrento.
7 Perth Glory (27pts / -4) – Floreat Athena (A)
Can’t finish bottom and will definitely stay up with a draw against second-bottom Floreat. Defeat and they will need one of Sorrento, Inglewood or Balcatta to also lose or they are facing the relegation play-offs. Yet if they beat Floreat and Armadale and Bayswater both lose, Glory will end the season in fifth. Sums up the whole season.
8 Sorrento FC (27pts / -5) – Armadale (H)
Can’t finish bottom and a draw will see them safe. Similar to Glory in that if they lose then they will require one of Inglewood, Balcatta or Floreat to lose, or for Floreat to beat Glory by three or more goals. Similar to Glory, they could actually finish fifth.
9 Inglewood United (26pts / -1) – Stirling Macedonia (H)
Highly unlikely they will finish bottom due to their goal difference, while a draw will be enough to keep them out of the bottom two. Lose and Inglewood are relying on Floreat also getting beat to dodge the play-offs.
10 Balcatta Etna (26pts / -5) – Cockburn City (H)
A win for Balcatta will guarantee their safety. A draw will see them avoid automatic relegation, but they would need one of Sorrento or Inglewood to lose, or Floreat not to win, to remain out of the bottom two. Lose and their only hope of avoiding automatic relegation is that Floreat are beaten by at least the same margin.
Floreat Athena (26pts / -5) – Perth Glory (H)
Win and they are safe regardless of other results. Draw and they avoid automatic relegation but will be relying on one of Sorrento, Inglewood or Balcatta to lose to avoid the play-offs. Lose and they are counting on Cockburn not beating Balcatta or, alternatively, a big win for Cockburn over Balcatta.
Cockburn City (24pts / -15) – Balcatta Etna (A)
Fail to win and it’s curtains for Cockburn. However, pick up three points then Cockburn will avoid automatic relegation and will even stay out of the play-offs if Floreat or Inglewood are beaten. One of Cockburn or Balcatta will finish in the bottom two.