Soccer: Bad last hit-out for Australian NSL playoff sides

By TERRY MADDAFORD

None of the six teams who will contest the Australian National Soccer League play-offs had a decent dress rehearsal for the business end of the season.

Minor premiers Perth Glory and fourth-placed Marconi Stallions drew 2-2 and fifth-placed South Melbourne played out a scoreless draw with non-qualifiers Sydney Olympic to continue their wretched end-of-season run.

Second-placed Parramatta Power had the last round bye.

Championship contenders Brisbane Strikers and third-placed Adelaide both ended their regular season with losses.

Adelaide went down 2-1 at Northern Spirit and Brisbane were upset 4-3 in Auckland by the Kingz.

After the 24 rounds of regular play, Parramatta's Ante Milicic is the top goalscorer with 19.

He scored five more than Perth's Damian Mori.

All Whites striker and South Melbourne captain Vaughan Coveny finished third equal with Perth's Nick Mrdja on 12.

Kingz veteran Harry Ngata was just outside the top 10 with eight.

In the first week of play-offs, Adelaide United are at home to Brisbane Strikers in the first leg of their elimination final.

Marconi will have the home advantage for the first leg of their elimination final with South Melbourne.

Perth are away to Parramatta in the first leg of their play-offs (with the winner going straight to the grand final) on March 14.