Our Football Queensland (FQ) commentators have previewed the upcoming National Premier Leagues (NPL) Queensland Women’s competition, kicking off this Saturday.

We’re set for a thrilling year of football in the NPL Women’s, as all First Grade matches will be live streamed and available to watch live on FQ’s YouTube channel.

Read on as our FQ commentators Jarrad Neck, Simon Smale, James Caughlin and Darren Lutton preview the 2020 season.

TITLE CONTENDERS

JARRAD:
I think the Gap, Lions, Gold Coast United and Capalaba will all be vying for the title this season with Logan and Mitchelton hot on their tails.

SIMON:
Lions. There have been some changes in personnel, but the bulk of the squad that was so impressive last year has stuck around, with some strong additions, including former Young Matildas midfielder, Jess Dillon. There is clearly hope for the rest though. Gold Coast United and Logan Lightning have both recruited strongly, as has Capalaba. The Gap has been so strong for a long time, and can’t be written off either.

JAMES:
As always Lions will be setting the benchmark but I think there’ll be plenty of competition from the likes of Logan, Gold Coast United, Mitchelton & Capalaba.

DARREN:
The contenders for the NPL Women’s are Lions and Capalaba with Mitchelton, Logan, Gold Coast United and Easts fighting for finals.

DARK HORSE

JARRAD:
I think both Logan and Mitchelton will rise up the table and potentially be title contenders. Kezia Pritchard, Sofie Persson and Rebekah Horsey are just a few of the signings that Mitchelton have gained as they are building an impressive squad. I also think Logan Lightning have recruited well with the three former Moreton Bay players in Meg McElligott, Lauren Spreadborough and Kristi New to bolster their stocks.

SIMON:
Capalaba may have finished in fifth spot last time around, but I’d expect them to soar up the table and pose a genuine challenge for Lions this season. Skie Hanifin did a great job with Moreton Bay United last year, and he could easily help the Bulldogs make that jump into the top four.

JAMES:
Mitchelton has recruited really well in my eyes as has Capalaba and I think both of those sides should be finishing a lot higher than they did last season.

DARREN:
I like what Western Pride are doing and hope they can move up to be a mid-table side.

GOLDEN BOOT

JARRAD:
A number of players could be contenders for Golden Boot in 2020, especially Tegan Riding, Mariel Hecher, Amy Chapman and Deeanna Thompson.

SIMON:
Tegan Riding narrowly missed out on winning the Golden Boot last season by a single goal to Roar-bound Rylee Baisden, but if she can sort out her consistency against the top four teams, there’s no doubt she can continue where she left off last year. Meg McElligott scored 19 goals in 2019 behind Baisden at the Jets, so it will be interesting to see how she adapts to a new challenge at Logan.

JAMES:
With Rylee Baisden plying her trade in the W-League I think this could be a pretty wide open race but I’ll back Meg McElligott after her move to Logan.

DARREN:
The obvious response is Tegan Riding or Amy Chapman but I think that Tiarne Petterwood will get better service this season so I’ll go with her to get her second boot.

BEST NEW SIGNINGS

SIMON:
Cass Zaffina was a real rock at the back for Lions last year, and a big part of why Lions conceded the least number of goals of any teams last year and she will be a good add to the Gold Coast.  Aside from that, it’s always exciting to see how the American imports settle, of which there are a smattering around the league. Of course, with the W-League almost over, the really interesting acquisitions could be yet to happen…

JAMES:
I kind of teased this in my last one but Meg McElligott is one of those players that could flourish in new surroundings. As a whole I’m looking forward to seeing how Mitchelton’s signings go along with Georgina Worth joining Capalaba.

DARREN:
It will be intriguing to see which imports make the biggest impact, and which of the Roar W-League players get picked up. From the announcements made I like that Bek Horsey is at Mitchelton.  Can she use her W-League experience to drive the side forward?

PLAYER OF THE YEAR CONTENDERS

JARRAD:
For me the contenders for 2020 would be Jess Dillon, Eloise Fryer, Cannon Clough and Amy Chapman.

SIMON:
Mariel Hecher is probably the best women’s player outside of the W-League at the moment. Last year she was the player you could not afford to take your eyes off in the NPLW, and I don’t see that changing. Incredibly, last year was only her third ever season of 11-a-side football, which means she could even improve this season. Scary.

JAMES:
It’s hard to look past Lions captain Mariel Hecher who is so pivotal for her side running the show. I feel like it’s her prize to lose.

DARREN:
Steph Latham (Capalaba FC),  Deeanna Thompson (Gold Coast United) and Mariel Hecher (Lions FC) could all be contenders this season.

Images: Ian Judd/Lions FC, Chris Simpson/Western Pride