It’s Jets against Lions twice in three days with the prize a place in the grand final.
Tonight, our Under 18s, who finished fourth, travel to Richlands (7pm) to face the premiers and on Sunday Jets’ Under 23s, the runners-up, host third-placed Lions at Wolter Park (4pm).
It will be second successive encounter for all four sides with Lions taking the points in the final fixtures of the regular season on the southside on October 24.
But, Jets have been training hard and are aiming to reverse both results. Here Jets’ captains from both teams preview the semis.
Lions v Jets – NPL Under 18 semi-final, at Richlands tonight, 7pm
Alex Iacovella – Jets' Co-Captain:
“I think this semi-final means a lot more than the game did a couple of weeks ago. Last game (Jets lost 5-3), we started a bit slow and it cost us.
“We were struggling with numbers towards the end of the season, but this time we’re going in with a fully-fit team.
“Nothing changes in with the approach to the way we play, it will be the same, but hopefully we’ll get the right result.”
Ethan Poore - Jets Co-Captain:
“Lions (Premiers, with 105 goals) are obviously good in attack. Their passing’s good and it can be hard to defend,” he said.
“But I think everyone here is in a good space, a good frame of mind and we’re ready to go there and try to win the game.
“It’s a semi-final. I’d say we’re excited by that, not nervous. We’ll go to enjoy it.”
Jets v Lions - NPL U23 semi-final at Wolter Park, on Sunday, 4pm
Tom Vosper – Jets’ Vice Captain:
“The last game was close (Lions won 1-0). I think we weren’t quite there on the day.
"It was the last game of the season, didn’t affect the table … which was bad on us.
“But this time we’ll be buzzing. Even at training we’re buzzing, getting around each other and it will be a different story on Sunday.
“It’s important it’s at Wolter Park. It’s hard to win at Richlands. But it's a home game, hopefully have a good crowd and … everyone buzzing!”
Alex Dyson – Jets’ Captain
“This is very similar to the Under 18s (in 2019). We played Peninsula Power, in the last game of season and beat them (3-2).
“Then we went to the semi-final, in the very next game and lost to Pen Power (2-1). That was quite a frustrating match.
“This game against Lions will be very interesting. We want to perform well and I think we will.
“We’ve found it hard playing them this season, but Sunday will be a good indicator to see if we can actually win this thing.”