Gold Coast Knights better poised for NPL title run than 2014 double winners Palm Beach - Dragicevic

NPL Queensland double winner Daniel Dragicevic believes the Gold Coast Knights are better poised to mount a title challenge than the unheralded Palm Beach side that took the competition by storm in 2014.

NPL Queensland double winner Daniel Dragicevic believes the Gold Coast Knights are better poised to mount a title challenge than the unheralded Palm Beach side that took the competition by storm in 2014.

Dragicevic, along with Eoghan Murphy and Jarrod Kyle, is one of three Knights players who were part of the Sharks squad that romped to the NPL premiership and championship five seasons ago.

The Knights have already signalled their title intentions in their debut campaign, recording four wins and a draw to sit second behind Peninsula Power ahead of today’s 6pm meeting at Kippa-Ring.

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And Dragicevic, who has been largely deployed as a midfield weapon off the bench this season, said the playing group firmly believed their run would continue.

“There’s definitely more confidence this year than there was back in 2014,” the 30-year-old said.

“We went into that season pretty much trying to make finals - even that would’ve been a great achievement – and we ended up going on a great run. I think it’s important to have a good start to the year and keep that momentum rolling.

Gold Coast Knights’ Daniel Dragicevic. Picture: Jerad Williams

“In 2014 we started really well and kept winning games and that set us up for the end of the year. We know we have the squad and should be challenging (this season).

“We have got the results so far but in saying that we have played teams that will probably finish down the bottom of the ladder. If we do get a win (against Power) we will be up there as being favourites but if we don’t there’s still a long way to go in the season. We’re still building.”

Coming off a hard-fought 2-1 win over Sunshine Coast, the Knights have come under fire from coach Grae Piddick for failing to capitalise on their chances over the first five rounds.

But Dragicevic said it was not a major issue.

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“I think maybe because we create so many chances it looks like we’re not taking those chances. If we had been we could be thumping teams but that doesn’t always happen in football,” he said.

“We’ve just pretty much been preparing (for Power) as we usually do. We’ve got to try and stop them from going forward but nothing too different to previous weeks.

“This is going to be our real test this week.”

NPL grand final, Palm Beach v Brisbane Olympic played at Palm Beach. Palm Beach's Daniel Dragicevic.Picture by Scott Fletcher

Meanwhile, a place in the top four could be Gold Coast United’s if they can stretch their winning streak to four games at home to Brisbane Roar Youth tonight.

After a slow start to the season that left them without a point from two games, United have bounced back to register victories over Easts, Brisbane City and Brisbane Strikers.

Last weekend’s 4-0 thumping of the Strikers was particularly impressive and moved the Surfsiders (9pts) into seventh spot.

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With Brisbane City (9pts) and Lions (9pts) squaring off this weekend, a win for United in their 5pm encounter with third-placed Roar (10pts) could catapult them into the playoff positions.

Sitting fourth and coming off a 1-1 draw with Sunshine Coast, United’s women host Logan in Round 4 of the NPLW at 4pm on Sunday.