Football West News

Pictured: Action from last year's grand final. Photo: Vince Caratozzolo/www.fotoenzo.com

WA’s 2016 PS4 NPLWA champion will begin their National Finals Series campaign at home to Tasmania’s top side.

Today’s draw, conducted at Football Federation Australia headquarters in Sydney, marks a departure from a previous format, which automatically pitted the WA champion team against South Australia’s best in the first stage of the National Finals Series.

This year’s fixtures are determined by a random draw.

Two years ago, WA champions Bayswater City were beaten in the first round by Adelaide’s MetroStars before a gallant run to the final last year.

After winning away to West Adelaide at the first hurdle in 2015, Bayswater crushed Tasmanian side Olympia 6-0 at Frank Drago Reserve before succumbing 3-1 to New South Wales heavyweight Blacktown City.

With five rounds remaining, the race to be crowned WA champion is heating up with only five points separating the top four teams. Inglewood United, on 36 points, are leading the way ahead of Perth (34 points), Bayswater (32) and Stirling Lions (31).

The draw also included the unveiling of a new Delta HyperSeam match ball for this year’s Final Series courtesy of Mitre, one of the world’s leading football brands and official ball partner of the PS4 NPL 2016 Finals Series.

The PS4 NPL Champions of Australia will secure automatic entry into the Round of 32 of next year’s Westfield FFA Cup.

All Elimination Final matches in the PS4 NPL 2016 Finals Series will be played on the weekend of 17-18 September. The match details and competing clubs will be decided in due course. All of the relevant information and details around the PS4 NPL 2016 Finals Series can be found on www.nationalpremierleagues.com.au.

ELIMINATION FINALS (September 17-18, 2016)
Match 1: Football West v Football Federation Tasmania
Match 2: FF Victoria v Northern NSW Football
Match 3: Football Queensland v Capital Football
Match 4: Football NSW v Football Federation South Australia

SEMI FINALS (September 24-25, 2016)
Match 5: Winner of Match 1 v Winner of Match 2
Match 6: Winner of Match 3 v Winner of Match 4

GRAND FINAL (October 1-3, 2016)
Match 7: Winner of Match 5 v Winner of Match 6

The host Member Federation for semi-finals and grand final is to be determined by a points system at the conclusion of the Elimination Finals and the Semi Finals.

Points system
• Win within regulation time = 3 points
• Win during extra time = 2 points
• Win on penalty shootout = 1 point
• Goals scored (excluding penalty shootouts) = 3 points
• Goals conceded (excluding penalty shootouts) = -1 point
• Yellow cards = -1 point
• Red cards = -3 points

The host of the Grand Final will be determined by the club with the highest accumulation of points across the Elimination Finals and Semi Finals.