TITLES UP FOR GRABS
FOOTBALL: Two trophies, bragging rights and a major confidence are up for grabs in the TFL this weekend – and it’s all on offer in one game.
Willowburn and Stanthorpe United have been the Premier Men’s division benchmarks all season and the pair clash on Sunday.
The minor premiership and President’s Cup will go to the winner of the last regular season round clash.
If the match is a draw at the end of regular time a point will be awarded to each time and a penalty shootout will determine who wins the President’s Cup.
“It’s all very exciting, these are the type of games you want to be in,” Willowburn coach Jamie McMillan said.
“The minor premiership and the President’s Cup are on the line and we haven’t beaten them yet this season so that would be another great result for us as well.”
Despite everything that’s on the line it will “business as usual” for the Magpies.
“We haven’t changed or altered our game plan for anyone this season,” McMillan said.
“We play to our strengths and if the opposition want to change things that’s up to them.
“I think it will be a good game this weekend, they (Stanthorpe) are very good side. They play a positive game and they’re hard but fair in the
tackle.
“Things didn’t go our way last time against them. We hit the post twice and had a few opportunities, one on ones with the keeper, that we missed.
“We’re more aware of what we need to do against them now and I think we have the players and game to beat them.”
The match is one of two key fixtures that will determine how the finals look.
Rockville play host to Highfields and a win for the home team could see them climb from fifth to second if results go their way.
The final look
The top four teams in the TFL Premier Men’s division will book their play in the finals.
The current top five is: Stanthorpe United 30, Willowburn 29, Gatton 28, St Albans 27, Rockville 26.
Gatton and St Alban’s both have final round byes meaning their points cannot change.
Stanthorpe, Willowburn and Gatton are guaranteed finals football regardless of this weekend’s result.
Stanthorpe: A win or draw against Willowburn will hand them minor premiership. If they draw the match penalties would be needed to decide who wins the President’s Cup.
Willowburn: A win for Willowburn would hand them the minor premiership and the President’s Cup. A draw would seal second place for the Magpies. A heavy loss combined with a huge Rockville win could see them drop to third on the ladder. A narrow loss and any Rockville win would leave them in second.
Rockville: Rovers will ultimately decide the look of the finals series. Any size win over Highfields will push fourthplace St Alban’s out of the finals race. A huge Rovers win combined with a huge Willowburn lose could see them climb as high as second – pushing Willowburn to third and Gatton to fourth.