Our Football Queensland (FQ) commentators preview the upcoming National Premier Leagues (NPL) Queensland Men’s season on the eve of the first round of 2020.
Simon Smale, James Caughlin, Darren Lutton and Jarrad Neck will return to commentary this year, as all First Grade matches are again live streamed and available to watch live and on demand on FQ’s YouTube channel.
Read some of their predictions for the season ahead below.
TOP FOUR/TITLE CONTENDERS
SIMON:
It’s a bit boring, but I don’t think you can look past the four principle contenders from last season – Lions, Knights, Peninsula Power and Olympic. There may be others who could challenge that top four, but I think the premiers will come from one of the teams in that quartet.
JAMES:
Peninsula Power, Gold Coast Knights, Gold Coast United, Olympic FC – in that order. Olympic FC to defeat Gold Coast Knights in 2020 Grand Final.
DARREN:
I think Knights will win with Power, Lions and Olympic battling the minor positions.
JARRAD:
1st: Gold Coast Knights are my tip to go one better on their second place finish last season and become premiers. The Knights have simply got too much quality all over the pitch to not be a contender this season with Matt Smith, Mitch Nichols, Jarrod Kyle, Max Brown and now, new signing Jheison Macuace, to cap off a star studded line up.
2nd: Olympic’s attack will be a frightening proposition for defenders, with the now ‘old kid on the block’ Jez Lofthouse combining with new signing Frederick Yinka-Kehinde to score 12 goals between them in the clubs pre-season hit outs. Last season saw them concede the most goals out of all top 4 sides so if they can rectify their defensive issues than I can see them being a huge contender for the title.
3rd: Lions will surely be hard to beat again as they go in search of back to back to back premierships. The loss of their leading goal scorer last season in Marek Madle (20 goals) will surely hurt but they will still have serious firepower up front with the inclusion of goal scoring machine Jordan Farina. New coach, new players but all signs are leading to more of the same after already securing their first piece of silverware with a 3-0 victory in the inaugural Foundation Cup last weekend.
4th: Peninsula Power will command respect yet again this season and be a formidable task for any opponents as they round out my top four. The linkup between Madle with the likes of Sam Roper and Tom Strickland will be pivotal for the Power if they are to be at the pointy end of the table yet again.
RELEGATION
SIMON:
Last year’s relegation scrap was a thrilling sub-plot to the season for all save those who were involved in it – and I think this year will be similar. As was the case last year, the promoted teams will be far from easy-beats, which means that we could be set for a very tight battle once again. That means there will be at least a couple of teams in last year’s hugely congested midfield who will be looking over their shoulders come August.
JAMES:
Two teams I think are at risk of relegation in 2020 are Redlands United and Moreton Bay.
DARREN:
Capalaba FC and Magpies Crusaders would be my two picks at this point.
JARRAD:
Magpies Crusaders escaped relegation last year, but will be at risk again in 2020.
DARK HORSE
SIMON:
I really quite like the look of Gold Coast United. They have a big, strong group of players and, with some clever additions to the squad, could make the jump to the next level. I was also really impressed with how Redlands United battled away from the relegation zone at the end of last season, so perhaps they could spring the odd surprise or two.
JAMES:
My dark horse picks would be Eastern Suburbs to finish 7th or Sunshine Coast Wanderers in 9th
DARREN:
Gold Coast United would be my dark horse pick for 2020.
JARRAD:
Moreton Bay United could be the surprise team of the year as I’m expecting them to make a vast improvement. Incoming coach Royce Brownlie takes the reins this season and brings in quality from the FQPL in the form of Carter Glockner, Lachie Strogusz and Emryn Donnelly-Fagen. Pre-season results have been positive and if they can find the back of the net more often this season then I’m predicting a steep jump up the table from their 11th placed finish last season.
GOLDEN BOOT
SIMON:
Can Jordan Farina continue his impressive goal scoring record now that he’s moved to Lions? It’s going to be interesting to see how he goes in a different hue of orange. Marek Madle is another player who could thrive in a new environment and bag a hatful of goals.
JAMES:
My Golden Boot pick for 2020 would be incoming Peninsula Power player Marek Madle.
DARREN:
Lions FC’s new signing Jordan Farina.
JARRAD:
I don’t think there will be a clear standout this year unlike what we saw last season with Andy Pengelly who netted 41 goals. I’m going to go for an upset here by tipping Frederick Yinka-Kehinde as I’m confident he will get the service from his fellow teammates, and if he can continue his preseason form he might just be banging in the goals.
BEST NEW SIGNINGS
SIMON:
There’s some really good signings this year actually. Zach Maltby moving from Strikers to Lions is exciting, he’s got genuine pace and could thrive in that environment. It’s good to see a few players coming back from Victoria as well, including Sam Sibatuara linking back up with Brisbane City, plus Tom Aulton and Daniel Leck both linking up with Olympic.
JAMES:
Jordan Farina (Lions), Keegan Jelacic (Roar Youth), Cameron Crestani (Peninsula Power) & Alex Warrilow (Capalaba) are the best new signings for 2020 for me.
DARREN:
I’m excited to see how the Wanderers adapt to the step up in competition and whether they can reach upper mid table; also to see if Shane Smeltz has still got it.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR CONTENDERS
SIMON:
I’d like to see Jez Lofthouse continue his development and continue to excite supporters across the league. Lions’ midfield of Henry and Mitch Hore, plus Danny Kim, also goes well. Jayden Prasad was a player I enjoyed watching as well last year, so I can hope he can continue to impress. As an aside, goalkeepers never win this award, but that’s not reason to ignore them. As such, I’m keen to see how Bon Scott and Luke Borean go again this year. Both are incredibly talented and have the opportunity to really shape how their teams will fare.
JAMES:
I’m predicting Sam Smith (Gold Coast United), Jez Lofthouse (Olympic) & Cameron Crestani (Peninsula Power) will all be Player of the Year contenders come season’s end.
DARREN:
Shane Smeltz if he’s still got it. I’m looking for someone from Brisbane City to raise their level and progress the club.
JARRAD:
Jez Lofthouse, Danny Kim and Mitch Nichols could all be contenders for Player of the Year in 2020.
Read the NPL Queensland Men’s season preview here.
Read the Players to Watch in the 2020 NPL Queensland Men’s here.
Images: Lions FC/Ian Judd, Magpies Crusaders/Alison Langevad, Western Pride/Chris Simpson
