BORAL Senior Men's Finals Series 2019 | NPL, SL1 & SL2 Week 1 Preview

National Premier Leagues Finals Series Week 1

NPL Route


Round 1 of the National Premier Leagues Finals Series, proudly presented by Boral, kicks off this weekend. 

In the NPL, the first leg of the Adelaide Comets and Campbelltown City semi-final will kick off Saturday, August 24 at 3.00pm at SA Athletics Stadium. This game will be preceded by the Adelaide Comets and Croydon Kings Under 18 elimination final, with kick-off scheduled for 10.15am. Following this, the first leg of the Adelaide Comets and Raiders Reserves semi-final will kick-off at 12.45pm. 

Despite Campbelltown being the reigning champions, Adelaide Comets go into the first leg of the semi-final as favourites given their 4-1 demolition of Campbelltown just two weeks ago. In addition to this, Adelaide Comets haven’t lost a game since round 14, against Adelaide Olympic. 

MSvRAI


Raiders and MetroStars will go head-to-head in an elimination final which will kick off Saturday, August 24 at 3.00pm at Croatian Sports Centre. This game will be live-streamed on the FFSA Facebook page for those unable to attend. Prior to this, Croatian Sports Centre will host the first leg of the SA NTC and MetroStars Under 18 semi-final, which will kick off at 10.00am. Following this, the MetroStars and Adelaide United Reserves elimination final will be played, with kick-off scheduled for 12.30pm. 

Raider's striker Terence Carter just fell short of the 2019 Golden Boot by 2 goals, and MetroStars central midfielder Fabian Barbiero will miss out on the elimination final due to a red card issued last weekend against West Adelaide. 

Adelaide Olympic and Adelaide Blue Eagles will be playing their elimination final at Valo Football Centre, with kick-off scheduled for Saturday, August 24 at 6.00pm. Preceding this will be the Adelaide City and Campbelltown Under 18 elimination final at 1.00pm, followed by the Croydon and West Adelaide Reserves elimination final at 3.30pm. 

Christos Pounendis from Adelaide Olympic, who have progressed into the Round of 16 for the FFA Cup, has been confirmed as the winner of the 2019 Golden Boot. Adelaide Blue Eagles have made the finals after being promoted from State League 1 at the end of the 2018 season. 

The winner of the SA NPL Finals Series will play away against the winner of the Queensland NPL Finals Series. Fixtures to be confirmed.  

State League 1

SL1 Finals


In State League 1, the first leg of the Sturt Lions and Modbury Jets semi-final will kick off Saturday, August 24 at 3.00pm at West Beach Parks Football Centre. This game will be preceded by the first leg of the WT Birkalla and Modbury Jets Under 18 semi-final at 10.30am and the first leg of the WT Birkalla and Modbury Jets Reserves semi-final at 12.45pm. 

Modbury Jets have guaranteed their promotion into the NPL after finishing top of the table. The question is whether they will be able to push through into the State League 1 Grand Final. Sturt Lions were relegated to State League 1 at the end of the 2018 season after one year in the NPL. Despite losing some key players following relegation, they have managed to rebuild, with potential for promotion back into the NPL. 

White City and Western Strikers will go head-to-head in an elimination final Friday, August 23 at Frank Mitchell Park, kicking off at 7.00pm. On Saturday, Seaford Rangers will face White City in the Under 18 elimination final at Frank Mitchell Park, with kick-off scheduled for 10.30am. Following this will be the Adelaide Victory and Fulham United Reserves elimination final at 1.00pm. 

White City had the chance to finish second on the table on Saturday against Playford, which would have increased their chances of promotion into the NPL. However, due to conceding in the 95th minute, they finished third and will face the challenge for promotion.

Cumberland United and WT Birkalla will be playing their elimination final at A.A. Bailey Reserve on Saturday, August 24 at 2.30pm. Prior to this, the Cumberland and Fulham United Under 18 elimination final will take place at 9.30pm. Sturt Lions will face Cumberland in the Reserves elimination final at 12.00pm.

This is WT Birkalla first season in State League 1 following relegation from NPL at the end of last season. Cumberland’s track record against WT Birkalla suggests they have a strong chance to progress into Round 2 of the finals series, having beaten them in both games this season. 

The quest for who will join Modbury Jets in promotion into the NPL begins on Friday night!

State League 2

SL2 Finals


In State League 2, the first leg of the Gawler and Adelaide Hills semi-final will take place Saturday, August 24 at 7.00pm at Karbeethan Reserve. Beforehand, Gawler and Northern Demons will face each other in the Under 18 elimination final at 2.15pm. This will be followed by the first leg of the Adelaide Hills and Modbury Vista Reserves semi-final at 4.45pm. 

Adelaide Hills have guaranteed their promotion into State League 1 for the 2020 season after finishing top of the table. Gawler striker Iradi Baragomwa has been confirmed for the 2019 Golden Boot, having scored 23 goals this season. 

Pirates FC will host Adelaide Cobras at Taperoo Reserve Saturday, August 24 for their elimination final, which is scheduled to kick-off at 7.00pm. Beforehand, Cove FC and Eastern United will play the first leg of their Under 18 semi-final at 2.15pm. Following this, Eastern United will face Cobras in the Reserves elimination final at 4.30pm. 

This is the Pirates’ first season in State League 2, after being relegated at the end of last season. They will be fighting to be promoted into State League 1 during the Finals Series. 

Vipers FC will be taking on Northern Demons at St. Clair Oval for their elimination final, kicking off at 2.30pm. Prior to this, Modbury Vista and Vipers will play in the Under 18 elimination final at 9.30am. At 12.00pm, Cove FC will play Vipers in the Reserves elimination final. 

Northern Demons have won their last five games, making them a strong contender against Vipers. However, of the games played against Vipers this season, a win was awarded to each team – making their track record against one another an equal playing field. 

Stay tuned to find out who will be joining Adelaide Hills in State League 1 for the 2020 season!