Teams scramble for order

Blair Grice is in the late stages of his football career but is still a consistent performer.

File

THE Clinton and Bluebirds finish behind minor premier Capricorn Coast.

Shaun Janes’ Coast side takes a week off to get the minor knocks repaired before entering into the rigours of finals football. The only question remains is which team they will face.

Clinton began the 2011 season quietly but has pushed its way through the clutter to sit in second place.

Tonight the Wesley Hall Cup holder has the chance to secure runner-up position when meeting third-placed Nerimbera and go in as a clear favourite despite both teams sitting on 35 points.

The reason why Clinton is favourite is due to the game being played at Clinton Park, a fortress only Bluebirds has breached in recent years.

Clinton has scored the least number of goals of any team in the top half of the table but, defensively, the side is every bit as strong as it was last season.

Nerimbera coach Adam Wratten is aware it will be a tough night at the office for his team with a few of his regular line-up unable to play.

Also, Nerimbera will face a Clinton team seeking revenge as the Gladstone boys suffered their biggest defeat of the season at Pilbeam Park earlier in the year, Nerimbera winning 4-1.

“I’m expecting we’ll face a team that is ready for finals football and it will be a fast-paced game,” he said.

“We have a few guys out, but regardless of who is in the team and who is out all of the guys know their jobs and are expected to play their roles.

“A draw won’t be any good for either side and we will go all out to gain the result.”

Wratten looks at the game as the last opportunity for players to impress and perhaps put their name forward for the finals.

In training, the coach said he has not worked on anything with Clinton specifically in mind although he expects the Gladstone team to test Nerimbera down the flanks. “We will try and get forward down the flanks and stop them from splitting us in the centre of midfield. We are also looking at giving game time to some our younger players.”

Southside end its disappointing 2010 campaign with a match against Bluebirds at Jardine Park.

Bluebirds will be hoping Clinton and Nerimbera end in stalemate as they could then finish second – but only if they beat Southside.

While defenders like Blair Grice have kept Southside in games, it is at the other end where Southside has failed with only the Wildcats scoring less goals.

Adding to the Southside woes, regular keeper Brent Giles will be missing while Jack Dixon, the team’s most consistent player, is carrying an injury.

In recent weeks, Colin Manitzky has been in good scoring form and should he cut loose then he is likely to give the Bluebirds defence a few problems.

While Grice keeps things tight in the middle it is down the edges where Bluebirds are at their most dangerous and are likely to cause problems for Southside’s overworked defence.

Frenchville finish its season on a low note with the trip to Centrals meaning little.

The loss in midweek to Yaralla left the former league leader out of contention for finals and if results go against them today could slip into the bottom half of the table. CQU Berserker too has endured a disappointing 2010 with the proud club thankful of the inclusion of the Wildcats to prevent them finishing on the bottom of the league ladder.

FINAL ROUND

Southside v Bluebirds at Jardine Park

Berserker v Yaralla at Elizabeth Park

Clinton v Nerimbera at Clinton

Centrals v Frenchville at Gladstone

Points: Capricorn Coast 42, Clinton 35, Nerimbera 35, Bluebirds 34, Centrals 30, Frenchville 29, Yaralla 29, Parkana 23, Southside 22, Berserker 20, Wildcats 0.