Current A-League leaders Brisbane Roar are eight points clear of Gold Coast in fourth.

But with two games in hand, Miron Bleiberg’s men are well placed to challenge for a top two spot by season’s end – particularly given the quality and form of both sides as the halfway mark of the season approaches.

United are unbeaten in nine games and their defence is the meanest in the country - conceding just seven goals in twelve games, including seven clean sheets.

Roar for their part are playing the sort of football that has the entire league salivating and are deservedly atop the competition after blowing away the Reds and Phoenix last week.

So while it’s still premature to speculate, prospects of a dream M1 grand-final are not out of the question. 

“It’d be huge. Absolutely huge,” Culina told au.fourfourtwo.com. “But in saying there is plenty of the season left and anything can happen. It’s still early.”

Culina, then just 16, was part of the last national grand final in Queensland - the 1997 NSL showpiece between Brisbane Strikers and Sydney United.

In front of a capacity crowd of over 40,000 at Suncorp stadium, a goal each to Frank Farina and “Rocket” Rod Brown sealed an emotional 2-0 win for the Queenslanders – lead brilliantly by veteran defender Alan Hunter.

Culina became the youngest player to have played in a grand final after he came on as a 63rd minute substitute for Robbie Trajkovski.

But as Culina readily admitted, if there is to be a dream match-up 14 years later at Suncorp, there’s a long way to go. FFA would be frothing at the prospect of selling-out the now 52,000 capacity all-seater Suncorp stadium for the biggest game of the season. 

In the meantime Culina is satisfied with the progress of this season’s more pragmatic version of Gold Coast United and believes a steadier approach will pay dividends in the long-term. 

“This season we’ve taken a different approach, possibly being a little bit more conservative away from home but also being a little bit more consistent with some absolutely great performances,” he said.

“And that’s what it’s all about. And that’s been the difference this season away from home – being solid and compact - you need that sometimes.”

Last week’s 1-0 win over Melbourne Victory a perfect example of this compact defensive structure mixed with fast-break counter-attack. And his team-mates agree.

“This year we’ve let Melbourne come at us, let Sydney come at us and then we’ve gone on the counter-attack. We’re a lot smarter this time around - this tactic happens all over the world and we’ve adapted ours to Miron’s style of play,” said Michael Thwaite.

And while some have criticised Bleiberg for this new style, at the same time some exciting youngsters are coming through that are giving this compact game-plan a real edge.

Last week Gold Coast debutant Ben Halloran tormented the Victory defence with his willingness to get attack from deep at lightning pace.

Dubbed a “very interesting player” by national youth coach Jan Versleijen, the 18-year-old was joined by another of last season’s NYL winning Gold Coast side, striker Chris Harold.

Add James Brown, GolGol Mebrahtu and Tahj Minniecon to this young gun list and United has the hallmarks of something very special.  

But Culina is too seasoned to get carried away by such talk – though he does say Halloran adds another gear to the United midfield engine.

“Ben got his opportunity last week and he did well and showed glimpses of what he can do playing out wide with his pace and dribbling skills.

“As long as he works hard I’m sure he’ll have a bright future. It’s important though that he doesn’t get carried away and keeps progressing.

“It’s just a matter of getting more game time and also realising that it’s not just about attacking. Defence is also important in today’s game.”

Halloran and Harold have been named in tonight’s provisional 18-man squad for Gold Coast’s clash against Sydney FC at Skilled Park. And Thwaite and Culina will jet to Cairo after the match to join the Socceroos ahead of their clash with Egypt next week.