With the second season of the Football Queensland Premier League (FQPL) on the horizon, familiar faces return, yet a host of new young talent also emerges.
With plenty of player movement around the league and the promotion of Peninsula Power and Eastern Suburbs to the NPL Queensland, here are a few faces to watch for the upcoming FQPL season.
Michael Angus – Sunshine Coast Wanderers
The Wanderers head into season 2019 looking to break their finals drought after missing out to Souths United on goal differential in 2018.
Former Brisbane Strikers captain Michael Angus looks to be the man to help the Wanderers take the next step, with his wealth of experience clearly a key factor in his signing.
With more than 200 games and two premierships in NPL Queensland and the former Queensland State League, Angus heads into the next chapter of his football career as more than just a player.
Appointed Director of Coaching for FQPL and SAP programs with the Wanderers, the club will undoubtedly benefit from the vast knowledge and experience that Angus will bring.
“The team clearly performed well in their first year for a new club and it is only natural to want to keep building on that,” Angus said.
“Being a new club, they really want me to get the community behind them.
“Coaching and playing, it is a new challenge for me in a new competition and I am looking forward to being a part of that.
“I also know of a few of the players from this year’s squad – Leon Dwyer, Jeremy Stewart, Ray Schultz – so it will be great to be playing with them again.”
The addition of the highly regarded midfielder can only help the Wanderers as they look to go one better than 2018.
Michael Angus in action for the Brisbane Strikers against Western Pride (Photo by Chris Simpson).
Corey Lucas – Ipswich Knights
After finishing the inaugural FQPL season towards the bottom of the ladder, Ipswich Knights will seek to improve their form this year.
Accomplished defender and former NPL Queensland player for Western Pride, Corey Lucas will aim to put a stop to opposing attacks and a Knights defense that lacked experience last season.
“Corey was my number one (target) and we were pretty lucky to get him,” Knights coach Andrew Ogden said of his recruiting priorities.
“He’s a left-footed, six foot four central defender, he’s everything you want in a player and I know he can play.”
“It’s very familiar returning to Ipswich,” Lucas said.
“I played plenty of junior football in Ipswich and I grew up not far away at Bundamba.”
“I look forward to building towards something special here in Ipswich.”
Corey Lucas embraced by fellow teammates after scoring against Brisbane City (Photo by Chris Simpson).
Carter Glockner – Mitchelton FC
Nabbed from 2018 NPL Queensland Premiership winning side Lions FC, Carter Glockner brings big game experience to Mitchelton FC for the 2019 season.
Hot on the heels of both a premiership and a championship and with 55 NPL Queensland games under his belt, Glockner is no stranger to finding the back of the net.
Glockner will headline Mitchelton’s attack for the 2019 season with Pete Drager, Michael Morrow and Owain Thomas.
Mitchelton will no doubt be aiming high this year and looking to secure a finals berth after finishing mid-table last season.
With Glockner leading the way, Mitchelton should have no struggles in attack this year.
Carter Glockner dispatches his spot kick for his hat trick and Lions 10th goal on the night (Photo by Ian Judd – AQUA [PD] / Lions FC).
Joshua Anderson – Rochedale Rovers
A member of the inaugural FQPL Team of the Season, Rochedale Rovers junior Joshua Anderson returns to the club in 2019, bringing with him finesse, finishing ability and an attitude eager to build upon Rochedale’s 2018 campaign.
Pipped at the post for a finals berth, with the addition of a midfielder in Anderson – who can not only set up his teammates but also score himself with 13 goals in 24 matches for Souths United last season – Rochedale look primed for big things in 2019.
Anderson marks the first of a trio of big signings for the club including Redlands United NPL Queensland legend Graham Fyfe and Brisbane Strikers forward Greg Cheshire.
Expect Rochedale Rovers to make their intentions clear early in the season.
Other FQPL Key Movements:
Capalaba – The addition of midfielder Rhys Lambert brings a 2014 NPL Premiership player for the Palm Beach Sharks to the Bulldogs, who have one distinct goal in mind for their season of 2019 – to achieve promotion to the NPL.
Holland Park Hawks – Carlton Westerdale returns to Holland Park Hawks in 2019, looking to take over attacking duties as well as the goal scoring mantle from former Holland Park Hawk now Lions FC front man, Marek Madle.
Logan Lightning – A regular member of Redlands United NPL side over the past two seasons, midfielder Sam Langley will provide 2018 Semi Finalists, Logan, with vision and support play needed to form the basis of an attack hoping to go one better in 2019.
Southside Eagles – Recruited from Bayside FC and having played for Easts two seasons ago, diminutive attacking player Jin Sato looks to be a key piece to attacking sets of the Eagles attack for 2019.
Wolves FC – The loss of FQPL Team of the Season member Linus Schibler, is a big one for the goalkeeping stocks of Wolves FC. Linus has left the side to pursue his professional career, with Brendon Bouchier and Ryan Murphy taking over the reins.
Souths United – Souths United have seen a host of players depart for season 2019 in search of other clubs including Josh Anderson moving to Rochedale Rovers.
