After 13 rounds, the National Premier Leagues Women’s (NPLW) Queensland competition has reached the halfway point of the regular season, with some teams already asserting their dominance and others struggling to find form.
What’s happened so far?
After missing out on the Grand Final last season, Lions FC remain the only undefeated team in the NPLW competition as of Round 13.
They don’t sit at the top of the table though, with Moreton Bay United having played one more game than them and with two more wins under their belt.
The league this season is full of experience with Westfield W-League players including Allira Toby, Megan McElligott, Natalie Tathem and Abbey Lloyd all featuring, while young players have also shone.
Just like last season it is a close battle for finals spots so without further ado, let’s jump into it.
Race for finals
With a six-team finals series this season, there could be a few fresh faces making their maiden finals appearance.
However just two points currently separate seventh-placed Gold Coast United and sixth-placed Logan Lightning, so it’s set to be a close competition for the remainder of the regular season.
After kicking off their season with a loss, Moreton Bay and their experienced team haven’t dropped points since, winning 11 straight matches.
The team just missed out on finals last season but look on track to make their first ever NPLW Queensland finals appearance if their form so far is anything to go by.
READ: NPL mid-season review
WATCH: Highlights of Moreton Bay’s win over Gold Coast United
READ: FQPL mid-season review
Lions FC are another strong team in the competition and have only dropped points twice, recording two draws so far this season.
Souths United meanwhile started the season in blistering style, scoring 20 goals and not conceding in their first two matches, but their old foes The Gap halted this momentum with a 1-0 win in Round 3.
Souths have the ability to jump into third but it’s going to be a close finish to the season with The Gap currently just three points behind them.
Rounding out the top six as it currently stands, Logan Lightning sit just a point behind The Gap with the two coming face-to-face this weekend in a match-up that’s sure to be an entertaining one.
Gold Coast United have been able to pick up two big scalps in the past few rounds including holding Lions to a draw and a win over Capalaba FC in Round 10.
Moreton Bay have recorded the most goals so far with 64 goals, while Lions have conceded just nine, which is three less than this time last season.
Stat attack
- As of Round 13 there have been 110 different goalscorers
- A total of 400 goals have been scored
- There have been 27 clean sheets kept
Upsets
There have been two major upsets in the first half of the season, starting with Lions’ 9-0 win over Souths in Round 8. Both sides have firepower up front but it was an unexpected result given their two previous encounters had been low-scoring affairs.
Another big scalp was Gold Coast’s 4-1 win over Capalaba, which was the beginning of a three-game losing streak for the Bulldogs.
Rest of the league
SWQ Thunder are the only team in the league without a win as the second half of the season commences, with the Toowoomba-based team’s last victory coming in Round 24 of 2018.
Western Pride enjoyed a 7-1 win over Thunder in Round 3 in their only win of the season so far, but they have a promising young squad led by Belinda Kitching.
11th-placed Sunshine Coast Wanderers’ four points meanwhile came courtesy of a draw against Gold Coast United and a win against Pride in Round 8.
Reigning Champions Brisbane Roar/QAS came into the new season with many new faces from the team that won the Championship last season, having recorded mixed results.
The team features a number of players who will be looking towards Junior Matildas call-ups come September as Australia play to qualify for the 2020 U17 Women’s World Cup.
Mitchelton and Eastern Suburbs have both had mixed results during the first half of the season, so they could hold the key to determining the final positioning for teams vying for finals.
Key battles
Round 14: Moreton Bay United v Lions FC and The Gap v Logan Lightning
Round 16: Gap FC v Souths United
Round 19: Souths United v Gold Coast United
Round 20: Capalaba FC v Gap FC
Round 21: Souths United v Lions FC
Round 22: Moreton Bay United v Gap FC
Round 24: Moreton Bay United v Capalaba FC
Round 25: Gold Coast United v Lions FC and Souths United v Logan Lightning
