Words: Matt Dorman
Image: Sam Attwood/Sunshine Coast FC

The second qualifier for the PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland Women’s Grand Final will be decided on Sunday when Palm Beach SC host Sunshine Coast.

While they finished three places apart on the final ladder, little is expected to separate two teams who have taken differing paths to tomorrow night’s Preliminary Semi-Final.

The hosts will be aiming to win through for a second crack at The Gap after missing out on first-time qualification two weeks ago, while Fire’s fairytale run is now just 90 minutes from reaching its destination.

Sharks skipper Tayler Stevens says her side is keen to make sure their second-place finish is rewarded with a shot at silverware.

"The whole team is extremely excited," Stevens said.

"We switched off against The Gap but we know we can get to the Grand Final and we deserve it.

"Everyone is so excited and buzzing for the game this weekend."

In addition to keeping sharp with a friendly over their week off, the Gold Coast outfit has spent time preparing for the danger posed by Fire’s unique attack.

Stevens, an integral piece in Sharks’ back four, is confident they can handle whatever challenges arise.

"We know we can outplay most teams most of the time," she said.

"With Sunny Coast, because they play the 4-4-2 formation, we’re just trying to get that down pat in our defending and I think we’ve got it.

If Sharks are to reach the decider they will also have to find a way past in-form Fire goalkeeper Katie Offer.

The teenager produced a number of telling saves in her side’s 1-0 extra-time win over Peninsula Power to help make it two straight knockout victories.

Offer says her highly-impressive season is indicative of the entire team’s upward trend.

"It’s been a great season so far and each game I feel like I’ve kept improving and getting better with my skills," she said.

"That’s kind of been my goal this year, just to keep improving. The whole team, we’re all in peak form at the moment and very positive."

Fire are one of only three sides to beat Sharks this season having notched a 2-0 win on the Sunshine Coast in June.

Offer starred in that match and believes the result provides belief for a repeat on Sunday.

"That was a good win that one. I think if we can remember that win, and how we did it, we can definitely do it again," she said.

"We just have to want it more, and I think we do want it, because we want to get to the Grand Final."

PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland 2015 Women's Finals Series - Preliminary Semi-Final

Palm Beach SC Women v Sunshine Coast FC Women
Mallawa Complex, Gold Coast
Sunday, September 6
Kick-off at 4:00PM