GOLD Coast United's Steve Pantelidis can only dream of a grand final return if he wants to feature again this season after his appeal against a five-match ban was dismissed.
Pantelidis was handed the hefty suspension for an ugly off-the-ball hit on Victory striker Robbie Kruse during Gold Coast's 1-0 victory over Melbourne at Skilled Park in Round 25.
The blow forced Kruse to be substituted off in the first half with an injured shoulder.
Gold Coast host Newcastle Jets in a cut-throat semi-final on Saturday night at Skilled Park.
If Miron Bleiberg's men successfully negotiate that encounter, they would then have to beat either Wellington Phoenix or Perth Glory in the Minor Semi-Final before accounting for either Melbourne or Sydney FC in the Preliminary Final away from the Gold Coast.
Only that treacherous scenario would hand United a grand final berth and give Pantelidis the opportunity to take to the field again this season.
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