Gold Coast defender Michael Thwaite is expecting a fiery homecoming when the men in yellow square off against state rivals North Queensland Fury at Dairy Farmers Stadium on Saturday night.
Adelaide’s 2-1 win over Newcastle on Friday night only added fuel to the clash with the result relegating North Queensland to last on the A-league table.
The Robbie Fowler-led Fury will be desperate to avoid the wooden spoon in their inaugural season and are sure to fight until the final whistle, needing just a point to go clear of the Reds.
Gold Coast must win if it is to have any chance of finishing second on the table, but its fate lies on the outcome of Sunday’s Premiers’ Plate decider between Sydney and Melbourne.
If United beats Fury and Sydney are denied victory by Melbourne, then Miron Bleiberg’s men will claim second spot on the table.
Raised in Cairns, journeyman Thwaite said he wants nothing but three points against North Queensland, which displayed sound resolve to snare a 2-0 win over Gold Coast back in Round 13.
“Of course with the North Queensland-Gold Coast derby it’s going to be a fiery match and both teams will be well supported,” Thwaite said before flying out to Townsville.
“The reality is for them is that they don’t want to take the wooden spoon, I think they need a point to secure that, so they are going to be hungry as ever.”
“Obviously this is the last round, every team is hungry to get a win whether you are Adelaide or Melbourne, so I think it’s nothing but three points, otherwise we will be very disappointed.”
The Fury have claimed some big scalps at home this year including Round 21’s upset 1-0 win over Melbourne Victory.
And as an added motivation the side will be looking to give Robbie Middleby a fitting send-off after the veteran announced his retirement earlier in the week.
Weather has been a major factor for sides travelling to North Queensland this season with extreme heat and humidity taking its toll on players’ fitness over the whole 90 minutes.
With the temperature expected to hover just under 30 degrees on Saturday night, Gold Coast boss Miron Bleiberg said that playing during intense conditions could work against his slick passing side.
“The only thing that might work against us is the weather. Obviously you can play attacking football but if the humidity is 150 percent you can’t play too much,” Bleiberg said.
“But we will play to the best of our ability and hopefully the weather will be kind to us.”
Thwaite agreed with his coach but believes the team has become accustomed to the tropical Queensland weather.
“Obviously adjusting to the climate is very important, but I think it-s going to be quite similar to the Gold Coast, we played in close to 90 percent humidity on the weekend,” Thwaite said.
“We’re well and truly adjusted to the Queensland weather, but it will be a little hotter.”
