Ruling gives Power major finals boost

Peninsula Power’s remarkable rise from the bottom of the NPL Queensland ladder may now finish with finals football.

On the eve of the final round of the regular season, Football Queensland (FQ) has changed the finals qualification from the top four to top six.

That means victory for Power - who were one of four sides battling for the last finals spot - over ninth-placed Redlands at AJ Kelly Park tonight (kick-off 6pm) will secure a finals place.

It follows an “issue” over a disciplinary matter and player eligibility “which resulted in the provision of inadvertent advice”.

There are claims, on some social media pages, it followed a response to inquiries about whether a player was eligible to play after collecting a certain number of yellow cards.

FQ said in a post online: “Due to the provision of this eligibility advice from Football Queensland, it has become apparent that to apply a sanction under the Competition Regulations by Football Queensland would result in an inequitable outcome for both clubs involved (Brisbane City FC and Peninsula Power FC)at AJ Kelly Park 

“Legal avenues and other formal processes outlined within Football Queensland’s regulations and by-laws were initiated by both clubs however, after seeking an extensive series of legal opinions and advice taken by Football Queensland, we have concluded the fairest, least intrusive and most practical outcome permissible within the regulations (4.6a) and to resolve the circumstance, is to make an alteration to the NPL Finals Series and extend the number of qualifying clubs from 4 teams to 6 teams for 2023.”

Power, unbeaten since May in 13 matches, enter the last regular round in sixth place with 31 points, one ahead of Rochedale (30), but behind Brisbane City (32) and Lions (33).

Victory will ensure a place in the finals. Who they face will depend on the results of Lions at home to Moreton Bay United (2^nd) and Brisbane City at home to Gold Coast United (3^rd).

The finals format now changes from two semi-finals and a final, to the top two sides sitting out week one while the club finishing third plays the side in sixth and fourth takes on fifth.

The preliminary finals see the Premiers face the lowest ranked semi-final winner and the runners-up face higher ranked winner from the semis. Winners then meet in the grand final.