The National Premier Leagues around Australia has officially entered its last few weeks, and the playoff season has all but settled in.

In South Australia, that season is unfortunately already over for Adelaide Olympic which failed to qualify for their regional final after a home loss against the NE Metrostars. It was a tough contest that was decided in the final minutes of the game thanks to a brace by the visitor’s forward Esposito.

Their hopes of reaching the final might have been crushed, yet George Tsonis’ men can take solace in performing admirably throughout the season, finishing in third place, reaching the semi-finals while also qualifying for the FFA Cup round of 16.

On the other hand, it seems a downward spiral has begun for both Floreat Athina and Brisbane Olympic at the worst possible time. Ben Cahn’s men lost yet another game, the last of the regular season, this time against the Gold Coast Knights.

Thankfully this had no effects on their position on the table, as they remained in the fourth place, which was the last that provides access to the playoffs.

A similar situation occurred in Western Australia where Floreat Athina proved unable to stop Rockingham City from annihilating them at home 3-6, in an encounter that featured plenty for goals for the fans in the stands.

The Olympia Warriors ended their campaign with an away win 2-4 against Riverside Olympic, while Canberra lost their playoff match at home 0-1 to the Cooma Tigers.

FLOREAT ATHINA

Result: v Rockingham City (H) 3-6 (6′ Petkov, 55′ pen. Evans, 67′ Philip – 11′ pen., 27′ van Dieken, 12′, 32′ Harmer, 83′ Kennedy, 85′ OG Malton)
Position in NPL WA: 3rd (22 mp, 37 pts)
Next opponent: Balcatta (H, elimination play-off)

ADELAIDE OLYMPIC

Result: v NE Metrostars (H) 1-2 (70′ Koutoulogenis – 51′, 79′ Esposito)
Position in NPL SA: 4th (22 mp, 35 pts)
Next opponent: (eliminated in the play-offs)

BRISBANE OLYMPIC

Result: v Gold Coast Knights (A) 4-2 (27′ Shannon, 53′ Kyle, 68′ Schmidt, 90’+1′ Marsh – 74′ baker, 81′ pen. Cuminao)
Position in NPL QLD: 4th (28 mp, 47 pts)
Next opponent: Queensland Lions (A, elimination play-offs)

OLYMPIA WARRIORS

Result: v Riverside Olympic (A) 2-4 (51′ pen. Wademan, 80′ Sanz – 20′, 90′ Ryan, 31′, 38′ Scott)
Position in NPL TAS: 2nd (23 mp, 57 pts) Next opponents: –

CANBERRA OLYMPIC

Result: v Cooma Tigers (H) 0-1 (66′ s.o. Popovich – 51′ Shields, 75′ s.o. Shields)
Position in NPL CT: 1st (16 mp, 37 pts)
Next opponents: Gungahlin (H, elimination play-off)