Words: Matt Dorman
Image: Brisbane Strikers FC

Round 17 of the PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland season features the most intense title ramifications yet amidst a series of mouth-watering fixtures.

Redlands United FC v Western Pride FC
Friday, 10 July / Cleveland Showgrounds / 7:15PM

Redlands United’s transition from bottom three after seven rounds to top-four team is almost complete.

Last weekend’s 1-0 victory over Palm Beach SC – their sixth win in eight matches – moved the Cleveland club within one point of fourth-placed Brisbane Roar FC Youth, who are ineligible for finals under competition terms.

While technically occupying a playoff spot, the job is far from done for Graham Fyfe and company with Western Pride one of several teams still in the hunt.

Pride exacted revenge on Young Roar in Round 16 with a confidence-boosting 4-2 win to set up a grandstand Friday night fixture.

South West Queensland Thunder FC v Northern Fury FC
Saturday, 11 July / Clive Berghofer Stadium / 5:00PM

Hope is renewed for Northern Fury after a 3-1 away win over Sunshine Coast put Ian Ferguson’s side back in the finals frame.

Defensive improvement helped end consecutive defeats but with two matches against Brisbane Strikers, a visit from Olympic FC and a final-round trip to Jets still ahead Fury can ill afford a slip-up.

Hosts SWQ Thunder will hope to inflict just that in Toowoomba on Saturday.

Sure to be disappointed with backing up a gallant effort against Jets by losing 6-1 to Olympic, Thunder at least celebrated Thomas Fanning’s fifth goal of the season as a positive.

Olympic FC v Brisbane City FC
Saturday, 11 July / Goodwin Park / 5:00PM

Inaugural Grand Final combatants, traditional rivals and set for another absorbing encounter: only victory is acceptable when Olympic FC and Brisbane City meet.

Inner-south hosts inner-north this time with both teams carrying form into Saturday night’s derby.

Olympic, 3-1 winners in April, racked up their biggest score of the season away to Thunder last round with key attackers Tim Smits and Danny Byrne in ominous touch.

City have turned the corner since the reverse fixture and although beaten by a single goal against Jets, that defeat won’t scupper the goodwill gained by their 3-1 victory in Cairns a fortnight ago.

Palm Beach SC v Sunshine Coast FC
Saturday, 11 July / Mallawa Compelx / 5:00PM

The first of three consecutive home fixtures has arrived just in time for Palm Beach SC.

With their premiership now destined for Brisbane, Sharks have little time to get active in an assault on the top four.

Two matches in hand means the team controls much of its own fate but performances will need to be near perfect beginning with Sunshine Coast on Sunday.

Fire, now in the bottom three, equally need a reason to feel good again after an opportunity to end their struggles at home last weekend ultimately dealt more disappointment.

Moreton Bay United FC v Brisbane Strikers FC
Saturday, 11 July / Wolter Park / 6:00PM

Round 17 concludes with a possible Grand Final preview.

In what will be the second league meeting of the top two, Moreton Bay can potentially move five points clear of Brisbane Strikers with a game in hand while the visitors could just as likely land a significant psychological blow by jumping into first.

A 1-1 draw was enough for Strikers to remain top when they originally entered the ring in Round 6 and after being knocked out of Westfield FFA Cup contention by the same side, Jets will hope to get square the ledger ahead of finals.

FNQ FC Heat v Brisbane Roar FC Youth

FNQ FC Heat has been awarded a 3-0 victory due to Young Roar’s forfeit.