Words: Tristram Peters
Additional Reporting: Samantha Brebner

Peninsula Power have their chance to net an undefeated season, having booked their place in Sunday's Grand Final against The Gap with a thrilling 2-1 victory over University of Queensland at AJ Kelly Park.

Ably led by Gold Boot pacesetters Brooke Barbuto and Kelly Jenks, Power started the stronger with a number of long-range efforts and clever build-up play. 

The pressure eventually told with Barbuto snatching the opener with a bullet from the edge of the attacking third, sending the hosts into the break with a hard-fought lead. 

With their season on the line, UQ looked to recapture their recent form, having stolen fourth place from Eastern Suburbs in the final two rounds, but couldn't break down a determined Power defence.

Power soon had their second through Kelly Jenks and, despite conceding a late goal to UQ's Carmel Murphy Pollard, controlled the latter stages of the game to ensure a grand final birth.

Power now look to topple 2015 and 2016 PS4 NPLW Queensland champions The Gap, having beaten them twice in the regular season. 

Key Moments

18' - CHANCE FOR POWER - Brooke Barbuto takes the ball down the sideline and crosses to Jenny Chiu, who fires it straight to Dani Harbot.

22' - CHANCE FOR UQ - Mariel Hecher sweeps up a loose corner and strikes it towards goal, only for the shot to be collected by goalkeeper Celeste Petersen.

40' - GOAL FOR POWER - Barbuto sends another bullet from the edge of the attacking third and finds the net, scoring the game's opener.

72' - CHANCE FOR POWER - Kelly Jenks crosses the ball into the 18-yard box to Ali Schaefer, who lines up a header that is safely gathered by Harbot.

76' - GOAL FOR POWER - Schaefer plays a beautiful through ball to find Jenks, who takes advantage and rockets the ball past Harbot into the back of the net. 

87 - GOAL FOR UQ - Carmel Murphy Pollard receives a nice cross in the 18-yard box, turns and places it in the bottom left of the goal, out of Petersen's reach. 

Match Details

PlayStation 4 NPLW Queensland - Semi-final 1
Sunday, August 27
AJ Kelly Park

Peninsula Power 2 (Brooke BARBUTO 40', Kelly JENKS 76')
University of Queensland FC 1 (Carmel MURPHY POLLARD 87')

Referee - Taylah SCHOLEFIELD
Assistant - Courtney JAMESON
Assistant - Lauren JAMES