Following the promotion of Peninsula Power and Eastern Suburbs to the National Premier Leagues (NPL) Queensland, the 2019 Football Queensland Premier League (FQPL) has been a noticeably different competition compared to last year.

Story so far…

There have been four different league leaders in just the first nine rounds with Logan Lightning, Mitchelton, Sunshine Coast Wanderers and Capalaba FC having all spent time in the top spot.

Last year’s top four sides Logan Lightning and Souths United have had vastly different starts to the 2019 season, with Logan Lightning flying high on the top of the ladder after nine rounds, while Souths have struggled, recording only two wins from their first nine games.

It’s been a cracking season for forwards in the FQPL so far, with 188 goals scored and a handful of hat-tricks recorded by Stuart Edgar, Jordan Maxwell, Zander Guy and Shunjiro Sibuya.

Who’s headed to finals and promotion?

There will be a six-team finals series this season, but the race for promotion has heated up as multiple teams are in contention for promotion to the NPL Queensland at the end of the season based on current standings.

Wanderers got off to a strong start, recording four wins in their first four games but their winning streak came to an end at the hands of Logan Lightning and after occupying top spot on the ladder for some time, they’ve dropped to their current position in sixth.

Since then Logan have not lost a game but have Capalaba hot on their tails, after a loss to Rochedale Rovers bumped the Bulldogs down to second spot.

It was a big win for Rochedale, who now sit in third with a game in hand.

Mitchelton, who currently occupy fourth spot, started the season well with two wins and a draw in their opening three games but have had mixed results since then, sitting on equal points with Ipswich Knights.

Wolves FC currently sit in seventh, five points behind Wanderers, but have played two more games than their ladder neighbours so will need to secure some vital wins to jump into finals contention.

Keep an eye on the second half of the season as it will be a close battle to see who finishes where come season’s end.

READ: NPL mid-season review
WATCH: Highlights from Lightning’s win over Wanderers
READ: NPLW mid-season review

Stat attack:

• There have been 72 different goalscorers as of Round 9
• 188 goals have been scored so far this season
• The highest scoring game this season was 5-4, when Holland Park beat Ipswich Knights with a 95th minute winner in Round 2

What does the rest of the league look like?

Souths United and Holland Park Hawks remain a point behind Wolves after struggling to find form in the 2019 season.

Souths have a game in hand, but with a squad that is barely recognisable from last season and with a number of changes to the roster even after the season commenced, the team has struggled to find consistency in the opening rounds of the season, recording two wins so far.

Holland Park Hawks meanwhile have lifted themselves off the bottom of the ladder with a win over Southside Eagles last week, just their second of the season, while Southside Eagles haven’t won a game since Round 2 and last picked up points against Mitchelton in Round 5.

Key battles

Round 10: Rochedale Rovers v Capalaba FC
Round 13: Sunshine Coast Wanderers v Logan Lightning and Ipswich Knights v Mitchelton FC
Round 14: Rochedale Rovers v Sunshine Coast Wanderers
Round 15: Logan Lightning v Rochedale Rovers
Round 17: Rochedale Rovers v Mitchelton FC and Sunshine Coast Wanderers v Capalaba FC
Round 18: Capalaba FC v Logan Lightning