Bundaberg Spirit will field the same side as they did against the QAS last weekend, with no players at fault for the loss according to Spirit coach Lyn Hodgkinson, instead playing impressive attacking football with consistent performances across the park and simply falling victim to one of the crueller sides of football, a last minute goal from striker Elliott Ronto. Whitsunday Miners side will be slightly different from last weekend, although still missing captain Daniel Scotton, and now brothers Troy and Dwayne German are also suspended.

The fight for third place between Redlands City Devils and NQ Razorbacks will take place at Cleveland Showgrounds on Saturday night, the Devils’ first home game in three rounds. The two sides are equal on 31 points on the QSL ladder, but the Devils have a vital game in hand. Tau Winnie will be looking for the back of the net after scoring three times in the past two games, and the Devils also welcome back defender Evan Parrish from suspension.

Having both lost last time out and conceding eight goals between them, Olympic FC and Logan United will both be very keen to take the three points from Saturday’s encounter. Logan’s climb up the QSL ladder was severely stunted by last week’s loss to Capricorn Cougars, while Olympic FC will be playing for pride following their 5-0 drumming by the Sunshine Coast FC. Both teams have seen the most player movements out of any other QSL clubs this season, and now that they have settled squad-wise, both will want their recent goal-scoring form to return.

Capricorn Cougars make the trip south to Perry Park to try and put a dent in the Brisbane Strikers’ hopes of securing second place in the league. A win would secure runner up’s spot for at least another week, and is especially important considering the Strikers’ last two rounds of the season – against fellow title contenders Redlands City Devils and minor Premiers Sunshine Coast FC. Cougars won their third game of the season last week against Logan United, while also scoring eight goals in their past five outings.

The clash between Sunshine Coast FC and Queensland Academy of Sport will serve as the curtain raiser for the Hyundai A-League Pre-Season Cup game between the Queensland Roar and Wellington Phoenix. Sunshine Coast FC won the minor Premiership last weekend and will be keen to keep their unbeaten streak intact until the end of the season, while QAS will be looking for their first consecutive victories in the league, having never being able to secure two wins in a row in the QSL.

Words: Michelle Tobin

Picture: Brian Monro

QSL ROUND 17

Bundaberg Spirit Vs Whitsunday Miners, Sat 26th Jul - 7:00pm, Marten Oval, Bundaberg

Redlands City Devils Vs NQ Razorbacks, Sat 26th Jul - 7:00pm, Cleveland Showgrounds, Cleveland

Olympic FC Vs Logan United FC, Sat 26th Jul - 7:00pm, Goodwin Park, Yeronga

Brisbane Strikers FC Vs Capricorn Cougars, Sat 26th Jul - 7:00pm, Perry Park, Albion, Brisbane

Sunshine Coast FC Vs Queensland Academy of Sport, Sun 27th Jul - 12:00pm, Stockland Park, Kawana