Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Alberto Perez/Football Queensland

Palm Beach Sharks coach Grae Piddick believes his team can take their Queensland form into the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Finals Series tomorrow night in Newcastle.

Sharks added to their PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Premiership title with a 3-2 win over defending champions Olympic FC in the Grand Final on Friday night at Mallawa Complex.

As Premiers, their next assignment is representing Queensland against Northern New South Wales Football qualifiers Weston Workers on Saturday night.

Piddick said despite the run of success so far this year – which started with winning the pre-season Macron Cup in Redcliffe – there was no hints of complacency setting in for his side.

“I think every game has been tough so I don’t think the boys are complacent at all,” Piddick explained

“They are on a roll and they want to keep on the roll. They know how hard they have worked and it certainly hasn’t been easy, so they know they have to keep on working hard.”

Despite re-emphasising his ‘one-game-at-a-time’ mantra, Piddick did concede he had been planning his approach to the fixture for some time.

“From what we’ve seen and we’ve heard of them they are a good side,” Piddick said.

“We have a few friends and a few guys in the know who have scouted them for us as well, so if we can play as well as we have been then that will be the key.”

Mid-season recruit and former Sharks junior Karl Dodd, has plenty of knowledge after previously working with Newcastle Jets in a development role.

However, Sharks are expected to be depleted as Piddick manages injuries to star wingers Nik Mirkovic and Daniel Dragicevic ahead of Tuesday’s Westfield FFA Cup Round of 16 clash with South Springvale.

Their opponents on Saturday night, Weston Workers, finished the league stage of PlayStation 4 NPL Northern New South Wales in second place behind Newcastle Jets Youth, who like their Brisbane Roar counterparts in Queensland are ineligible for the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Finals Series.

Weston were defeated 2-0 by Lambton Jaffas in their Grand Final on Sunday at Jack McLaughlan Oval.

The victor between Sharks and Weston will face the winner of ACT's Cooma Tigers and New South Wales' Bonnyrigg White Eagles.

Earlier this week, Football Federation Australia confirmed the winner of the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Finals Series will receive automatic entry to next year's Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32.

Fixture Details:
Weston Workers v Palm Beach Sharks
Rockwell Automation Park, Weston NSW
Saturday 20 September 2014
Kick-off: 7:00pm AEST