Three massive clashes around the country have set up a salivating weekend of finals football.
Three massive clashes around the country have set up a salivating weekend of finals football.
The Queensland and Tasmanian NPL grand finals will take place in their respective states while the top-tier of Northern NSW football will also have their decider.
Olympic FC will take on Brisbane City in Queensland with Olympic looking to add the grand final victory to the premiership they secured at the end of the regular season.
Having won 18 of 22 matches whilst scoring a staggering 90 goals, Olympic FC finished eight points clear of runners up Brisbane City.
The teams split their regular season clashes before each claimed a 2-0 win in their semi-finals to secure passage to the decider.
“They-re going to be very difficult to beat,” said Olympic coach Jim Bellas.
“We are going to try our hardest to win it and the team that shows up to play on the day will probably win.”
Having scored 26 goals throughout the season, striker Tim Smits added another goal to his tally in the semi-final victory over the Brisbane Strikers and will no doubt be a factor in the final.
“He is very important to us and is a very experienced player. He is playing very well, enjoying his game and is very crucial to the team.”
The match kicks off at 6pm on Sunday evening at Goodwin Park, Yeronga.
The Northern NSW NBN State League final will feature the league-s top two teams with premiers Broadmeadow Magic hosting the runners up Lambton Jaffas.
It was an exceptional feat for the Jaffas to have made final after the club was only promoted to the top division at the start of the 2013 season.
Four points split the teams at the end of the 18-match season with each side getting a win against one another throughout the year.
The sides then faced in the major semi-final where the Magic knocked off the Jaffas 4-0, a result long time Jaffas supporter and former player Kevin Cranson believes they can turn around.
“The boys have had a good preparation and we get Joel Wheelhouse and our coach back after suspension,” said Cranson.
“It was the first time in the club-s history that we were playing in the top tier and to have got second at the end of the season and then go on and make the grand final has been remarkable.
“Magic are a great side and deserved to be premiers but they are certainly not invincible.”
The match takes place this Sunday at the Magic-s Wanderers Oval with kick-off at 3pm.
In Tasmania, premiers South Hobart will take on Devonport City in the Victory League final.
South Hobart were 15 points clear of the Strikers after the 21 regular season games and had a goal difference that was 25 goals superior to their grand final rivals.
The premiers also won each of the team-s matches throughout the season and were only defeated once throughout the year.
Despite South Hobart-s superiority throughout 2013 there is still hope that Devonport can turn the tables in the final.
“We are heading into the match confident,” said Devonport coach Chris McKenna.
“They are a very good team and we had some close results with them where we didn’t quite put together a performance for the full 90 minutes but if we do that this week then we can get the result.
“We have had a few injuries but the boys have had a good week on the training track and are looking forward to the game.”
McKenna’s men take on South Hobart at their home ground KGV Football Park on Saturday with kick-off scheduled for 2pm.
