A new era of competition beckons upon Brisbane as the FQPL 3 Metro Men’s and Women’s leagues are set to begin this weekend. The Men’s competition mains fairly consistent with only promotion and relegation departures whereas the Women’s competition features a host of new sides due to the reshuffling of the Women’s Football Pyramid in Queensland. We take a look at what to expect from each team in both competitions in 2022.
FQPL 3 Metro Men’s
The departure of heavyweights Albany Creek into FQPL 2 has opened up an opportunity for another club to stamp their authority in the Men’s competition for the upcoming 2022 season. Falling short in the playoff for the final FQPL 2 spot last season, Bayside United will be coming in with high hopes after retaining key parts to their squad. A new direction under Head Coach Skie Hanifin will be pivotal in St. George Willawong’s push to top spot after being unable to defend their 2020 title last season.
The Lakes have been tipped by many to make a big run this season as they look to build upon their third-place finish last year. Daniel Foggarty remains a massive part to The Lakes and a big season from him is a must should they have any chance of earning their spot in the FQPL 2 next season.
New kids on the block Pine Hills and Newmarket have high hopes coming into the season on the back of their promotion from the Capital League 1 competition in 2021. Some new signings for both sides will be looking to make their presence felt early in the year in hopes of a successful season.
New faces will be on show at Toowong this season after a host of departures after their 7th placed finish last year. Alongside Toowong, Mt. Gravatt and Acacia Ridge are anticipating big seasons as they look to push into the top four come the business end of the season.
After a tough season last year, Western Spirit, Centenary and The Gap wlll be eager to move up to the top half of the table in a highly competitive league. A delayed start to the season will have some form of an impact on all the teams as the attention focuses to the start of yet another campaign.
FQPL 3 Metro Women’s
A complete reshuffle in the Women’s Pyramid sees majority of the FQPL 3 Women’s competition promoted from Capital League and City League alike heading into the 2022 season.
Caboolture have been tipped by many to be the front runners to take out the title this year having finished 7thlast season in the Capital League. A big off-season of recruitment has put the side in a stable position entering the re-structured competition.
Newly put together Ipswich City Bulls and Bayside United will be hoping for a highly competitive season after putting pieces together to compete this season. Alongside them a host of City League teams will feature in the competition making it an unknown quantity for most.
Springfield United are expected to make a run this year as they look to build their program up into the competitive mark of FQPL 3 Metro. With a number of Capital League bottom half teams set to compete in the competition, the early rounds of the competition will have teams wondering where they stand in the dynamic and how their seasons will pan out from an early stage.
Toowong and Mt. Gravatt round out as favourites for at least a top four spot from many opposition coaches. Both teams featured in the Capital League last year alongside North Brisbane who naturally come into the year as favourites due to their league positions from the year before.
Overall the FQPL 3 Women’s competition is destined to provide plenty of shocks, highlights and goals as the season goes on throughout 2022.