Central League 2

ol'sole wrote:

 bigfudge wrote:
This is somehow even more disappointing that what I was expecting of Central/Capital. 

Money talks I guess. Can confirm that this is 100% something Rovers were going for this off-season. Already heard rumors of this a few weeks back but didn't think they'd be stupid enough to actually do it. 

Gisborne United definitely want to go up to CL2. With the core of players they have, these next few years were probably the last opportunity for them to have a good crack at playing at a higher level. A lot of the articles and interviews with them before the season point towards CL2 as their goal. Jimmy sais he went to United because of the ambition to lay CL2.

Interesting comments - "money talks" and "Didn't think they were stupid enough to actually do it".
Would you like to elaborate - I would be interested to know.

I have no doubt that Rover's argument to Central Football would have included them saying that they are far more prepared to deal with travel expenses, sponsorships, etc, than a team like Gisborne United.

hotchips wrote:
My preference would always be for promotion on merit, I don't think it will do them any favours if they go up and get thumped every week. Bit rough on either Gisborne United or Whanganui Athletic who have had outstanding seasons. I mean Gisborne United finished 20 points higher than NCR in the 14 game first round, and 26 points over the whole 18 games which is a huge difference. 

hotchips wrote:
At least reserve teams can be relegated so a short stint unless they recruit heavily

bigfudge wrote:

 hotchips wrote:
At least reserve teams can be relegated so a short stint unless they recruit heavily

Recruitment might not be as easy as they think. I'm sure that Dale will attract a lot of the more ambitious local players now they're in Central League. 

I'm sure they'll sign a few of the better youngsters in East Prems though but it could be a tough season for them. Far too early to say though.

LT01 wrote:
So Miramar reserves will have to be in Cap Prem but Napier reserves need to be in CL2? Can somebody explain?

BigRed49 wrote:
Yeah, I'm with the majority here. While I don't want any Reserve teams in CL2 (I'm a traditionalist, Reserve teams should have their own league all together), I can see why it's happening and understand it. However, promotion needs to be merit based. Olympic Ressies getting in makes sense from that perspective. Rovers Reserves getting in is questionable, but it's even worse if it comes at the league winners expense.

Also, someone mentioned the cost....remember when Auckland City FC played in the Club World Cup and NZF was supposed to get a cut of those millions, which would be used to support club football here in NZ? Oh and hey, remember when the All Whites got to the World Cup and earned a tidy amount of millions which would also be used to support club football? Where the f***s that money gone? Putting some of that into a travel fund for clubs to makes these league sustainable would have been pretty handy....

LT01 wrote:
So Miramar reserves will have to be in Cap Prem but Napier reserves need to be in CL2? Can somebody explain?

bigfudge wrote:

 hotchips wrote:
At least reserve teams can be relegated so a short stint unless they recruit heavily

Recruitment might not be as easy as they think. I'm sure that Dale will attract a lot of the more ambitious local players now they're in Central League. 

I'm sure they'll sign a few of the better youngsters in East Prems though but it could be a tough season for them. Far too early to say though.

Bigboot wrote:
CL2 Competition Structure 2027 confirmed! 

1. TBC - 5th placed CL2*
2.TBC - 6th placed CL2
3. Lower Hutt
4. Stop Out 
5. Wainui
6. Douglas Villa
7. Greytown
8. Phoenix U18/Wellington Olympic 
9. Whanganui Athletic/Gisborne United 
10. Napier City Rovers Reserves 

* If Wests win the NL playoff then 5th placed CL2 will be promoted to CL and either Phoenix U18/Wellington Olympic to fill the extra spot. 

Noah4thenix wrote:

 Bigboot wrote:
CL2 Competition Structure 2027 confirmed! 

1. TBC - 5th placed CL2*
2.TBC - 6th placed CL2
3. Lower Hutt
4. Stop Out 
5. Wainui
6. Douglas Villa
7. Greytown
8. Phoenix U18/Wellington Olympic 
9. Whanganui Athletic/Gisborne United 
10. Napier City Rovers Reserves 

* If Wests win the NL playoff then 5th placed CL2 will be promoted to CL and either Phoenix U18/Wellington Olympic to fill the extra spot. 

Unrelated to the topic at hand but do these things come out as notices somewhere, or is this insider knowledge? Wanna try be more in the know with these but don't know how...

Bigboot wrote:
Central League 2 | Round 18

 
After 85 games, the title has already been decided, but there is still plenty to play for on the final day. The next five teams are separated by just two points.


As we know, the top four are guaranteed a place in the Central League next season, while fifth place could still sneak in if Wests win the National League playoff. At the other end of the table, there are three points separating ninth and tenth. With no relegation, the only thing at stake there is the wooden spoon.


Every game on the final day has significance.


Lower Hutt v Seatoun
Seatoun has already played its part in making the final round exciting. Following a 2-1 win over PN Marist on Wednesday night, they will be hoping to carry that momentum into Saturday.


The big question is whether three games in eight days will finally catch up with them.


Lower Hutt have been a tricky team for most sides to face this season, although their form has dipped recently. Their last victory came more than a month ago, a run that has seen them fall out of the promotion race.


The last meeting between these two sides ended in a 1-0 Seatoun victory, with a 94th-minute winner. I’m expecting another equally tight game, but I’m picking Seatoun to WIN.


North Wellington v Wainuiomata
North Wellington have rediscovered some good form in recent weeks. While the title race is over for them, nothing less than a win will guarantee their place in the Central League next season.


They will, however, be without starting central midfielder James Wilkinson.


Wainuiomata have remained unbeaten since 1 August, including two away draws against teams above them in the table. They will be no easy beats and will do everything they can to stop North Wellington from running away with this one.


The last meeting between these sides saw Wainui go 1-0 up through Jack Imray, only for North Wellington to come back strongly in the second half.


I’m picking North Wellington to WIN.


Palmerston North United v Taradale
Champions in waiting…
Taradale have been the most consistent team in the league all season. With some incredible attacking players and their relentless use of the long ball, they are deserving of lifting the trophy after the match in Palmerston North.


PNU, on the other hand, are still locked in the promotion battle. Even a win may not be enough to guarantee them promotion, depending on the other results.


Based on their form during the second half of the season, this should be a comfortable Taradale win. However, PNU have everything to gain, while Taradale have little left to play for beyond finishing the season as champions.


I’m picking a DRAW.


Stop Out v Palmerston North Marist
Stop Out are probably the most unpredictable team in the league. They have taken points off almost every side this season, with Marist being the only exception.


A late Paul Awa goal secured a 3-2 victory for Marist back in May. It is worth noting, though, that Campbell Webster was suspended for that encounter.


Having already played twice since last Saturday, and with Adam Cowan seemingly unlikely to play — or at least to be at full strength — this is shaping up as a real banana skin for Marist.


Their defensive performance and ability to play out from the back looked highly suspect against Seatoun on Wednesday, and Stop Out have the attacking players to punish them.


I’m picking Stop Out to WIN.


Tawa v Douglas Villa
In the final match of the round, Douglas Villa travel to Redwood Park to take on Tawa.


Douglas Villa have shown plenty of fight in recent weeks, picking up points against PNU and beating Taradale. The important thing to note is that both of those results came in Masterton. They have, however, shown some improved form on the road as well.


In the last meeting between these two sides, Douglas Villa picked up all three points.


Tawa have the most dangerous attack in the league, scoring a massive 51 goals — 13 more than the next-best team. Interestingly, though, they have also conceded the third-most goals in the league, with 38. Only Douglas Villa and Stop Out have conceded more.


If Tawa can sort out their woeful defending, this could be a comfortable win. If not, Douglas Villa have more than enough attacking threat to hurt them.


I’m picking a high-scoring DRAW.

Bigboot wrote:

 Bigboot wrote:
Central League 2 | Round 18

 
After 85 games, the title has already been decided, but there is still plenty to play for on the final day. The next five teams are separated by just two points.


As we know, the top four are guaranteed a place in the Central League next season, while fifth place could still sneak in if Wests win the National League playoff. At the other end of the table, there are three points separating ninth and tenth. With no relegation, the only thing at stake there is the wooden spoon.


Every game on the final day has significance.


Lower Hutt v Seatoun
Seatoun has already played its part in making the final round exciting. Following a 2-1 win over PN Marist on Wednesday night, they will be hoping to carry that momentum into Saturday.


The big question is whether three games in eight days will finally catch up with them.


Lower Hutt have been a tricky team for most sides to face this season, although their form has dipped recently. Their last victory came more than a month ago, a run that has seen them fall out of the promotion race.


The last meeting between these two sides ended in a 1-0 Seatoun victory, with a 94th-minute winner. I’m expecting another equally tight game, but I’m picking Seatoun to WIN.


North Wellington v Wainuiomata
North Wellington have rediscovered some good form in recent weeks. While the title race is over for them, nothing less than a win will guarantee their place in the Central League next season.


They will, however, be without starting central midfielder James Wilkinson.


Wainuiomata have remained unbeaten since 1 August, including two away draws against teams above them in the table. They will be no easy beats and will do everything they can to stop North Wellington from running away with this one.


The last meeting between these sides saw Wainui go 1-0 up through Jack Imray, only for North Wellington to come back strongly in the second half.


I’m picking North Wellington to WIN.


Palmerston North United v Taradale
Champions in waiting…
Taradale have been the most consistent team in the league all season. With some incredible attacking players and their relentless use of the long ball, they are deserving of lifting the trophy after the match in Palmerston North.


PNU, on the other hand, are still locked in the promotion battle. Even a win may not be enough to guarantee them promotion, depending on the other results.


Based on their form during the second half of the season, this should be a comfortable Taradale win. However, PNU have everything to gain, while Taradale have little left to play for beyond finishing the season as champions.


I’m picking a DRAW.


Stop Out v Palmerston North Marist
Stop Out are probably the most unpredictable team in the league. They have taken points off almost every side this season, with Marist being the only exception.


A late Paul Awa goal secured a 3-2 victory for Marist back in May. It is worth noting, though, that Campbell Webster was suspended for that encounter.


Having already played twice since last Saturday, and with Adam Cowan seemingly unlikely to play — or at least to be at full strength — this is shaping up as a real banana skin for Marist.


Their defensive performance and ability to play out from the back looked highly suspect against Seatoun on Wednesday, and Stop Out have the attacking players to punish them.


I’m picking Stop Out to WIN.


Tawa v Douglas Villa
In the final match of the round, Douglas Villa travel to Redwood Park to take on Tawa.


Douglas Villa have shown plenty of fight in recent weeks, picking up points against PNU and beating Taradale. The important thing to note is that both of those results came in Masterton. They have, however, shown some improved form on the road as well.


In the last meeting between these two sides, Douglas Villa picked up all three points.


Tawa have the most dangerous attack in the league, scoring a massive 51 goals — 13 more than the next-best team. Interestingly, though, they have also conceded the third-most goals in the league, with 38. Only Douglas Villa and Stop Out have conceded more.


If Tawa can sort out their woeful defending, this could be a comfortable win. If not, Douglas Villa have more than enough attacking threat to hurt them.


I’m picking a high-scoring DRAW.

Trying to bring this thread back to the most important weekend of the season, happening tomorrow. 

Any thoughts, gossip or predictions?

Tartan Kiwi wrote:

 LT01 wrote:
So Miramar reserves will have to be in Cap Prem but Napier reserves need to be in CL2? Can somebody explain?

Unless Wests win the NL playoffs or the Phoenix Thirds slip up tomorrow, Olympic Reserves will also be in Cap Prem (Olympic Reserves having lost 0-4 midweek to Phoenix Thirds at Petone Memorial). Promotion to CL2 from the Capital Region is based on this year's performance only so the Phoenix thirds will get the second promotion spot.

Bigboot wrote:
Not necessarily. Wests would need to win the playoff for 3rd place in Cap 1 to be promoted.

Tartan Kiwi wrote:

 Bigboot wrote:
Not necessarily. Wests would need to win the playoff for 3rd place in Cap 1 to be promoted.

 Cap 1  2nd placed Olympic 3rds couldnt get promoted if Wests lost the NL play off since Olympic Reserves would be in Cap Prem (assuming the one team per club rule is still in place) so promotion spot in Cap 1 would be given to third placed Phoenix Fourths. 

Bigboot wrote:
And that wraps up the CL2 season for 2026. Exciting news is that we get to do it all over again next year! 

CL2 2027
1. Palmerston North Marist*
2. Seatoun 
3. Lower Hutt
4. Stop Out
5. Wainuiomata 
6. Douglas Villa 
7. Greytown 
8. Wellington Phoenix 3rds
9. Whanganui Athletic
10. Napier City Rovers Reserves 

Wellington Olympic Reserves* could replace PN Marist if Wests win NL Playoff. 

With 2/3 team ineligible for promotion to CL1, next season proves to be equally as exciting. I am guessing there is a lot of player movement to occur between now and next season. Any teams listed 1-4 would be backing themselves for promotion, but Whanganui and Greytown will be keen to follow up with another promotion. 

Tyler wrote:
Great season! Love it when it comes down to the last day!!

I’m curious to see how the Cap Prem teams stack up against the CL2 teams. As above, I suspect Greytown will be in the mix. Nix will likely have a similar team? 

watching_from_far wrote:
Tradable coach had departed after 1 season.

Bigboot wrote:

 watching_from_far wrote:
Tradable coach had departed after 1 season.

I heard he was returning to the UK to get treatment on his neck from watching long balls all season. 

watching_from_far wrote:

 Bigboot wrote:

 watching_from_far wrote:
Tradable coach had departed after 1 season.

I heard he was returning to the UK to get treatment on his neck from watching long balls all season. 

Haha so ive heard. could be another local coach needs the same treatment. 

watching_from_far wrote:

 Bigboot wrote:

 watching_from_far wrote:
Tradable coach had departed after 1 season.

I heard he was returning to the UK to get treatment on his neck from watching long balls all season. 

Haha so ive heard. could be another local coach needs the same treatment. 

TopLeft07 wrote:
Anyone else think it’s insane that they promoted fourth place in the pacific premiership over the winners Gisborne United, who lost the playoff to Whanganui Athletic?