After a fantastic 2022, the National Premier Leagues (NPL) Queensland Women competition returns this week for the 2023 season which is set to be the most exciting yet in a massive year for the women’s game.
Round 1 will bring plenty of action with a host of unmissable clashes that get underway on Friday night as Eastern Suburbs and Olympic FC go head-to-head in a Brisbane Derby where bragging rights will be on the line.
Saturday will see 2022 Grand Finalists Gold Coast United take on Capalaba FC, while Souths United welcome Sunshine Coast Wanderers and newly promoted FQPL 1 Women Premiers Peninsula Power come up against FQ Academy QAS.
The final fixture of the round will pit last season’s undefeated back-to-back Premiers and Champions, Lions FC against newly promoted Mitchelton FC in what will be a fantastic early test for the reigning FQPL 1 Grand Final Champions.
Mitchelton, who beat Peninsula Power 1-0 in the FQPL 1 Grand Final last season, will face a Lions side who this Sunday will reach 841 days undefeated in the NPL Women competition. Could this season be the hallmark for 1,000 days undefeated?
THE FRESH FACES:
Lions were not the only side to go undefeated in their regular season last year, with Peninsula Power also stunning the FQPL 1 Women competition to claim the 2022 Premiership undefeated. The newly promoted side will kick off their NPL Women season against the FQ Academy QAS and will no doubt look for some strong early results as they establish themselves in the top league of Queensland women’s football.
The other new addition to the NPL Women competition for 2023 is the only team that managed to defeat Peninsula Power all season, Mitchelton FC. The side won a dramatic Grand Final match in extra time against the Premiers while securing promotion for the new season with a top two finish in the FQPL 1 Women.
Both promoted teams have fresh faces in their squads after making strong signings for the 2023 season, with FQ Academy QAS product and midfielder Lanni McDougall joining Peninsula Power from Capalaba FC alongside interstate signings Bonnie Davies and Jemima Head.
Mitchelton meanwhile have picked up several new players of their own, with Kayo Yamamuro, Emilie Adams, Samantha Roff and Talia Sanders joining from Virginia United, Canberra United and Olympic FC.
Lions continue to roar – Lions will be focused on maintaining their undefeated run this season, with attention remaining on them as they continue to make strides towards the 1,000 days unbeaten target. That milestone will be reached on July 21 should their strong form continue, but they’ll need to get through 21 rounds of competition to achieve this remarkable feat.
Gold Coast United ready to compete – After falling to defeat against Lions in last year’s Grand Final, Gold Coast United will be hoping to go one better in 2023 having bolstered their side with a new crop of talent promoted from their Academy sides and a strong roster of retained players who performed consistently well last season.
Capalaba hoping to go one step better – Capalaba missed out on last season’s Finals Series on goal difference. They’ll be hoping to redeem themselves in 2023 and avoid the agony of last year’s fate. They’ve brought in a selection of players during the off-season, but can Capalaba go that one step better in 2023?
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Brittney Lacek:
Brittney Lacek signs for Capalaba FC for the 2023 season. Having previously played for Olympic FC and Logan Lightning, Lacek joins a side who will be hoping to push for a Finals spot in 2023 after narrowly missing out in 2022.
Momo Hayashi:
Momo Hayashi returned from injury last season and guided her Gold Coast United team to the Grand Final. Excitement will loom over what a full season featuring the midfielder will look like for the Gold Coast side as they challenge for the title with the help of their star player who last season made FQ’s 2022 Team of the Season. A regular previously in Japan’s Nadeshinko Leauge, Hayashi has made quite the footballing impact in Queensland since arriving back in 2019.
Meaghan McElligott:
Lions will be looking to continue dominating the NPL Women competition and they’ll be hoping their new signing, Meaghan McElligott can be a key player in their quest. Having previously won the Golden Boot for the NPL Women competition and boasting experience in the A-Leagues with Canberra United and Brisbane Roar, McElligott will be aiming to get off the mark immediately when Lions FC face Mitchelton this Sunday.
Kallie Peurifoy:
Kallie Peurifoy will be looking to strike again in 2023 after scoring a whopping 40 goals last season in the FQPL 1 Women as she claimed the 2022 Golden Boot and helped Mitchelton gain promotion. Wherever Peurifoy goes there seems to be goals aplenty so keep an eye out this weekend as her side kicks off their season.
Vedrana Popovic:
Olympic FC captain Vedrana Popovic will lead the team out for the 2023 season. A key member of the squad, the former Matilda will bring a wealth of experience, having previously played at A-Leagues clubs Melbourne Victory, Adelaide United and Brisbane Roar.
Tish Woods:
A breakout player from the 2022 campaign, Tish Woods will look to continue her form into the 2023 season. A key cog in the Power midfield, Woods won the club Player’s Player and Player of the Year awards in 2022 and she’ll be hoping to have a similar impact again this year.
Ella O’Grady:
Ella O’Grady represented the CommBank Junior Matildas last year as part of the AFF U18 Women’s Championship, making her national team debut during the NPL Women season. A key member of the FQ Academy QAS team who was awarded Advanced Club Junior Player of the Year at the 2022 Football in Queensland Awards Night, O’Grady will be one to watch this season.
Rosie Sutton:
Rosie Sutton returns to Souths United for the first time since 2019 after stints with Olympic FC and Eastern Suburbs. Boasting plenty of experience, Sutton previously starred for A-Leagues clubs such as Brisbane Roar, Perth Glory, Western Sydney Wanderers, Adelaide United and Melbourne Victory.
Izzy Wood:
Izzy Wood led from the front for Peninsula Power last season as the top scorer in their undefeated regular season. She will be returning to the Sunshine Coast Wanderers for 2023 where she’ll be hoping to make an impact in the NPL Women.
Harkana Tkatchenko:
Harkana Tkatchenko (nee Dixon) will return to Eastern Suburbs FC after two seasons away from the game, during which she got married and gave birth to her first child. Having played over 100 games previously for Eastern Suburbs, she will look forward to returning to Heath Park as they kick off their season against Olympic FC to start the 2023 NPL Women competition.
TEAM PROFILES:
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CAPALABA FC: |
Capalaba FC just missed out on the Finals Series last season as they fell to a final round defeat against Sunshine Coast Wanderers and bowed out on goal difference. They will be hoping to right that wrong in 2023 by pushing for Finals football and have brought in a range of talent in the off season who will be ready to compete in their first game of the season against Gold Coast United.
Last season: 5th
Home Ground: Max Haynes Field
Coach: Archford Kahondo
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EASTERN SUBURBS: |
Eastern Suburbs made it to the Semi Final last season and will be hoping to go one better this year under the guidance of new Head Coach, Lachlan Leong. The core team remains from the previous season including Georgie Amos, Lauren Askin and Sofie Persson making up the spine. Their season kicks off with a home game against local rivals Olympic FC.
Last season: 3rd
Home Ground: Heath Park
Coach: Lachlan Leong
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FQ ACADEMY QAS: |
After holding some of the strongest teams in the league to tight matches last season and showing plenty of tenacity across the park, the FQ Academy QAS side will be pushing for a higher-placed finish in 2023 and will kick off their campaign against newly promoted side Peninsula Power in what is set to be an entertaining opening round encounter.
Last season: 8th
Home Ground: Meakin Park
Coach: Adam Pengelly
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GOLD COAST UNITED: |
Gold Coast United were the last team to win the Premiership before Lions’ dominant run. Could they pose the biggest threat to the Lions dynasty? Last season’s runners up will be hoping they can go one better in 2023 and have made steady progress in recruitment with several new young players who Head Coach Sarah Evans will be hoping can make a strong impact. Gold Coast United kick off their season against Capalaba FC.
Last season: 2nd
Home Ground: Coplicks Family Sports Park
Coach: Sarah Evans
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LIONS FC: |
Lions FC will be gunning for an incredible fifth straight Premiership in 2023 and enter the season having not lost a game since 2020. The reigning Champions and Premiers will get their campaign underway at home against newly promoted side Mitchelton FC.
Last season: 1st (Premiers)
Home Ground: Luxury Paints Stadium
Coach: Rob Askew
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MITCHELTON FC: |
After their recent FQPL 1 Grand Final success, Mitchelton FC will be hoping to bring that form into the 2023 NPL season to make an impact on the league. The last time they played in the NPL Women competition was in 2021 so they’ll be keen for a strong return this season but face a challenge first up with an away tie against Lions FC.
Last season: 2nd (FQPL 1 Women)
Home Ground: Teralba Park
Coach: Alan Waller
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OLYMPIC FC: |
Under new Head Coach Russell Sommerville, Olympic FC will look to improve on their 2022 league performance having brought in a host of new players throughout the transfer window as they push for an all-important Finals spot this season. Their first match of 2023 will see them come up against last year’s Semi Finalists Eastern Suburbs.
Last season: 7th
Home Ground: Goodwin Park
Coach: Russell Sommerville
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PENINSULA POWER: |
Peninsula Power went the entire regular season unbeaten in the 2022 FQPL 1 Women’s competition. They will be hoping to bring that form into 2023 and have secured the signings of Bonnie Davies, Lanni McDougall, and Jemima Head for their NPL Women campaign as they look to make an impression. Their first game of the season will be against FQ Academy QAS at AJ Kelly Park.
Last season: 1st (FQPL 1 Women)
Home Ground: AJ Kelly Park
Coach: Alex Smith
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SOUTHS UNITED: |
Souths United made it all the way to the NPL Women Semi Finals last season where they fell to defeat at the hands of Lions FC. Finals football will again be the clear goal for the side in 2023 as they welcome new arrivals Rosie Sutton, May Salazar, Shianna Singh and more. Their season will kick off at home against Sunshine Coast Wanderers.
Last season: 4th
Home Ground: Wakerley Park
Coach: Trent Gregson
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SUNSHINE COAST WANDERERS: |
Sunshine Coast Wanderers missed out on Finals football by just two points in their 2022 campaign. This season they will be hoping to go one better with the Finals Series firmly in their sights and will make the trip to Souths United for their opening game of the season.
Last season: 6th
Home Ground: Ballinger Park
Coach: Nathan Cobb
Complete list of Round 1 Fixtures:
EASTERN SUBURBS VS OLYMPIC FC
Perry Park, Friday 10th February 8:30pm
GOLD COAST UNITED VS CAPALABA FC
Coplicks Family Sports Park, Saturday 11th February 6:00pm
SOUTHS UNITED VS SUNSHINE COAST WANDERERS
Wakerley Park, Saturday 11th February 7:00pm
PENINSULA POWER VS FQ ACADEMY QAS
AJ Kelly Park, Saturday 11th February 7:15pm
LIONS FC VS MITCHELTON FC
Luxury Paints Stadium, Sunday 12th February 6:00pm
Catch every game live and free on FQTV.
Images: Kyoko Kurihara/Gold Coast United, Patrick Kearney/Eastern Suburbs
