KNIGHTS ANOINTED AS NEW PREMIER CHAMPIONS
COACH Alex Morrison has finally accepted that his Gold Coast Knights are now out of reach for rivals in the chase for a Gold Coast Premier League championship.
After the Knights beat Murwillumbah 6-0 at the Croatian Sports Centre on Saturday the title was decided with runners-up Broadbeach United needing a massive upset to catch the new winners.
The Knights have 47 points (plus-46) and Broadbeach 44 points (plus-20) with one round to go.
“We’d have to lose 26-0 against Burleigh Heads next week even if Broadbeach win,” Morrison said.
“So it’s fair to say we’re in the driver’s seat.”
Golden boot winner Andrew Barisic landed a hattrick as the Knights scored three goals either side of half-time.
This was despite Seb Buckingham copping a straight red card for language with the lead at 2-0.
Broadbeach also played a man down for the second half yet still held on to beat
Palm Beach 4-3 at Nikiforides Park.
Luke Martinero was redcarded when Broadbeach led the Sharks 2-0. The Dolphins extended that lead to 4-1 before Palm Beach scored two late goals.
Surfers Paradise was a third club to finish with only 10 men after losing Alex Polletto for a professional foul 10 minutes into the second half against Burleigh Heads.
Surfers scored two late goals, the winner in added time, to beat the Bulldogs 2-1, trailing from a 70th minute strike from Elliott Middleton.
In the other match, Coomera scored a 3-0 win against Magic United with club president Alan McFarlane filling in as coach for Ray McDonald.