PROMOTIONS SPOTS ON THE LINE IN INTER-DIVISIONAL PLAY OFF FINALS
It’s Football West Interdivisional Playoff Finals Day on Saturday, when the final promotion and relegation spots for next season will be decided, and we have four massive games at the Sam Kerr Football Centre, with so much on the line. The day starts with Swan United, looking to keep their State League status alive, when they meet Amateur Premier North Perth United. (10:00pm) Swan finished at the bottom of Division Two, and a loss on Saturday will see them slip out the State League for the first time, and coach Shannon Beniston said his side is up for the fight.
“We’ve built a strong squad with real depth and quality, and that’s been clear in our performances across the second half of the season. We pushed the League champions Quinn’s and Division One play-off contenders Cockburn right to the final whistle, with chances to win both matches,” he explained. “We’ve beaten the sides sitting 3rd, 4th and 5th, and held 6th to a draw, so that’s ten points out of 18 against the top six, that shows we belong at the top end of the league. Now, heading into the play-offs, our players understand what this opportunity means — not just for themselves, but for our supporters and the wider Swan community. We’ll be ready.”
North Beach were runners up in the Amateur Premier Division, and ended the season with seven straight wins, and will be looking to return to the State League for the first time since 1978. Coach Nick Di Carlo said their run in was like playoff games, which they needed to win, and Saturday will be more of the same. “Coming off the high of earning a playoff spot last weekend, we've had to turn our attention immediately to what is going to be such a great occasion for the squad, and the club as a whole,” Di Carlo. “I'm so proud of everyone who's been involved to get to this point, and we have no fear going into this hit out against a state league opponent. The last month for us has been the pressure of a final, knowing a loss ended our season and a win got us a step closer, so the players are adapting really well to play under high stakes pressure which conditions us nicely for this weekend.”
The second game on the day sees Wanneroo City, who are also looking to keep their State League place, take on Morley Windmills. (12:15pm) Wanneroo finished second bottom this season, after finishing at the bottom of the table in 2024, but they have the opportunity to stay in the state league, and defender Kane Fitch said they will be doing everything they can to achieve that. “Yes, obviously a huge game for the club with a lot to lose especially on our side but as a group of players we’ve got the club into this position and we need to perform and keep this club where it belongs,” Fitch said. “Morley like any team present their own set of challenges and finished the season strongly so they will have a lot of momentum heading into this weekend. We’ve hit the reset button this week at training worked on things to provide us with the best chance of winning and I’m confident we’ll finally this season give the club a performance that they deserve.”
Morley Windmills secured their place after a win against Emerald last week, and will be hoping to return to the State League, after relegation in 2023. They finished the season well, winning five of their last six games, and they will hope to secure promotion as they celebrate their 75-Year Anniversary. “We are delighted to have this opportunity, our goal for the season was to win promotion or as a minimum get a spot in the play off's, especially in our 75-year anniversary,” O’Reilly explained. “We are looking forward to this last challenge of the season, and I believe it has come at a good time for us, as we have been improving each week and I can feel the belief in this team.”
A spot in Division One is on the line in third game at the venue, with Kalamunda City playing Cockburn City. (2:30pm) Both sides had tough semi-final victories, Kalamunda edging out local rivals Forrestfield United, while Cockburn overcame East Perth, in two tight encounters. It’s been a couple of tough seasons for Cockburn, back-to-back relegations, but coach Kenny Palmer has come in and steadied the ship, and he said the club are now heading in the right direction. “It's been a long season and regardless of the outcome of this weekend’s game, we will take nothing but positives from the year we have had as a club. From all that has been accomplished by the President and the Committee off the pitch, to the foundations we have set on the pitch,” Palmer explained.
“Our run to the semifinal of the Night Series and to only miss out on automatic promotion by a couple of points, is testament to the direction the club is heading in. Having said that, our focus as a playing group will be no different on this occasion to every other game we have played since pre-season. We will be looking to get on the front foot and to focus on the execution of our game plan. We look forward to seeing all our members and supporters at the game for one last time this season and we hope to make it a day to remember.”
Kalamunda slipped in to the relegation spot after losing their last three games of the season, but a 2-0 win in the second leg against Forrestfield saw them into the final, and coach Kristian Usedo said it was a good team performance, and they will need another one on Saturday. “The boys did exactly what was asked of them, we maintained our shape, stayed patient, and when the chances arose, we capitalised on them. Keeping a clean sheet was just as important as scoring the goals it demonstrates the belief and focus this group has,” Usedo said. “Looking ahead to the game against Cockburn, they are a strong team, no doubt, but we’re not intimidated. We’ve built up momentum, the team's energy is high, and we’ve prepared for every scenario. If they choose to take the game to us, we’ll welcome the challenge, we’ll be ready.”
Finally, a spot in the NPL is up for grabs when Fremantle City meet Joondalup City. (4:45pm) Fremantle came from behind to beat Kingsley Westside on the away goals rule in the semi-final, as they look to maintain their place in the NPL, while Joondalup scored a 5-3 win on aggregate against UWA Nedlands, and they will be looking for a spot in the NPL for the first time, this after only joining the state league in 2012. Joondalup only lost once in their final eight games in the league, to be on the verge of a place in the NPL, and coach Guy McDonald knows there is a lot on the line. “Yes, it’s a huge day for the club and everyone is looking forward to it, and like you say there is a lot on the line for both clubs,” McDonald said. “At the end of the day though it’s a football match we have to get it right on the day. After seeing a few of Fremantle’s games and results they are a good side and are probably a bit unlucky to have finished second bottom. So, it will be a tough test but we will be ready and up for it come Saturday afternoon.”
A goal from Charlie Betts against Kingsley secured their spot, and Fremantle coach Dale Wingell said the players are up for the challenge, and will be leaving everything out there on Saturday. “We have learnt a lot about ourselves this season and now it comes down to a one-off game. We know “who we are” and the lads certainly know what is required,” Wingell explained. “Saturdays outcome will be a byproduct of our actions on the night. We are prepared for a challenging encounter and are determined to produce a positive performance.” It should be a great day of entertaining football for the neutrals, but a tense time for the eight clubs involved. You can purchase tickets at - megatix.com.au/events/PlayOff2025 - Adults $15 | - Concession $10 | Free entry under 18
source footballwa.net
All Games at Sam Kerr Football Centre
State League Second Division/Amateur League Premier Division Promotion/Relegation Play-off 2025
Swan United - North Beach @10am
Wanneroo City - Morley-Windmills @12:15PM
State League First Division/Second Division Promotion/Relegation Play-off 2025
Kalamunda City - Cockburn City @2:30PM
NPL-WA/State League First Division Promotion/Relegation Play-off 2025
Fremantle City - Joondalup City @4:45PM
www.youtube.com
