Depth key to avoiding the drop in NPL Qld

FOOTBALL: As the National Premier Leagues Queensland season comes to an end the South-West Thunder are not concerned about the big issue they will face in 2018 - relegation.

“No, I think we are in a good (place),” assistant coach Mick Turvey said.

Next season’s NPL Qld will see the two bottom sides drop to the newly formed Queensland Premier League division.

Their survival will technically be out of their hands, with the final table and points to be calculated based on an averaged number combined of the club’s under 20 and under 18 results.

Essentially, the Thunder senior team could win the minor premiership and finish top of their division but could face the drop should the two junior teams below them finish near the bottom.

The Thunder takes on Western Pride today, with only two more games after the clash in Ipswich to end the season on the best note possible.

The Thunder’s under 18 and under 20 sides have been fairly prolific when it comes to challenging for the premiership over the past few years, with the under 18s taking out the silverware in 2016.

“I would be more worried about the likes of (Brisbane) Strikers because they have the big guns in the senior team but they don’t have the depth in the under 18s or 20s,” Turvey said.

“We are looking very strong with the depth we have and it’s about trying to plan for the future now.”