The FQPL 1 competition returns this weekend and is shaping up to be a thrilling fight for glory as 12 sides battle it out for the title and promotion to the NPL Queensland.
The opening round of the 2023 season will bring with it some fascinating fixtures as in-form 2022 FQPL 2 Champions Surfers Paradise Apollo face off against last season’s Semi Finalists Brisbane Strikers and fellow top four side SWQ Thunder take on newly relegated Capalaba FC.
THE FRESH FACES:
The new teams in the FQPL 1 competition will be set to create more memorable moments with old and new rivalries coming together to make for a compelling 2023 season. Promoted sides Surfers Paradise Apollo, Albany Creek Excelsior, and Wynnum Wolves join Logan Lightning and Capalaba FC following their relegation from the NPL Queensland.
Surfers Paradise Apollo come into the 2023 season after a dominant first year in the FQPL 2 competition, ending the year as Premiers and Champions after being defeated just once in 2022. They’ve earned promotion in back-to-back seasons after winning the FQPL 3 Play-Off Final against Bayside in 2021.
Albany Creek and Wynnum Wolves make up the last two promotion places as they finished the season 2nd and 3rd respectively. ACE come into 2023 having had the best defensive record in FQPL 2, while the Wolves will take confidence in their Grand Final display, taking Surfers to extra time in a tight affair.
Meanwhile, two relegated sides Logan Lightning and Capalaba FC come into the 2023 FQPL 1 season trying to prove they belong back in the NPL Queensland after a disappointing 2022 season. Whilst they didn’t have much success in the league, Logan Lightning can hold their heads high after their great Australia Cup run, qualifying for the Round of 32 for the first time in the club’s history.
KEY STORYLINES:
How far can they climb? – Surfers Paradise Apollo have already conquered the FQPL 2, stunning the league with only one loss all year – but can they do it again in the 2023 FQPL 1 competition? If their form continues, they could become the first club to gain back-to-back promotions from the FQPL 2 to the NPL Queensland. After two wins from two in the Kappa Pro Series against NPL opposition, many tip Alex Morrison and his men to do the almost-impossible and challenge for the top spot.
Aiming to restore former glory – 2023 marks Brisbane Strikers’ second straight season in the FQPL 1 after recording a 3rd place finish last year. With their eyes firmly set on a return to the big stage, Strikers will be doing all they can this year to secure promotion to the top flight of Queensland football.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Jade North: North joins Brisbane Strikers with an incredible career behind him, including 41 caps for the Socceroos. His return to the club marks 22 years since he last played for Strikers in 2001. Since then, the veteran centre back’s career has seen him win titles at Brisbane Roar, Perth Glory, Newcastle Jets and Sydney Olympic. Jade’s experience, leadership and quality will elevate the Strikers to another level on their hunt from promotion in 2023.
Brandon Reeves: Reeves will lead the line for Logan Lightning in 2023 as the former Gold Coast United and Brisbane City striker aims to make an impact this season. Of his signing, he told the club; “Happy to have signed for Logan Lightning FC for the 2023 season. I’ve known Couttsy for years now and know his professionalism and the standard he wants the team to play at. Nothing but promotion is on his mind, and I plan on helping to get the club back into the NPL.”
Jerrad Tyson: Tyson carries a resume of great experience behind him and will be vital towards Sunshine Coast FC’s potential success in 2023. Playing for the club that he previously played for back in 2008, Tyson returned to the Sunshine Coast last season where he was one of the standout players, earning the Goalkeeper of the Year award. Can he keep a tight ship at the back this season?
Teddy Watson: Watson will certainly be one to watch in 2023 and brings with him a long list of achievements including Golden Boot awards in 2019, 2020, and 2022 and the FQPL 2 Championship last year. Watson told Surfers Paradise Apollo; “The lads, management and backroom staff have all contributed to my decision to re-sign for another year, and I’m hoping to carry on enjoying my football as I always have at Surfers Paradise Apollo!”
TEAM PROFILES:
ALBANY CREEK EXCELSIOR |
Albany Creek Excelsior come into the FQPL 1 as one of the three promoted sides from FQPL 2. Their impressive 2022 season resulted in a second-place finish before they went down to fellow promoted side Wynnum Wolves in a disappointing Semi Final result. Despite this, ACE recorded the best defensive record in the FQPL 2 last year, conceding just 31 goals across the 22-game season.
Last Season: 2nd (FQPL 2)
Home Ground: Wolter Park
Coach: Steve Glockner
BRISBANE STRIKERS |
Brisbane Strikers were disappointed to miss out on promotion to the NPL in 2023, falling agonisingly close in 3rd position on the table. They will again consider themselves a serious contender for promotion but must improve upon their previous campaign and have bolstered their squad accordingly. They had a tight battle with Gold Coast Knights in the opening round of the Kappa Pro Series which will give them some confidence coming into Round 1 of the FQPL 1.
Last Season: 3rd
Home Ground: Perry Park
Coach: Andre Meyer
CABOOLTURE FC |
Caboolture will be looking to improve in 2023 after the club made steady progress since their promotion from the FQPL 2 back in 2021 in a dominant season. Time will tell if the side can continue to build this year to challenge for one of the top spots.
Last Season: 9th
Home Ground: Moreton Bay Central Sports Complex
Coach: Matt Procter
CAPALABA FC: |
The Bulldogs will strive to reignite their fire and make it back to the top tier after a poor run of results in 2022. Capalaba will have a relatively new side for 2023, including new coach Brian Hastings from Western Pride who will be looking to turn things around for the former NPL Queensland side.
Last Season: 12th (NPL)
Home Ground: Max Haynes Field
Coach: Brian Hastings
LOGAN LIGHTNING |
Despite their triumphant victory over Lions on the last matchday of the season, this didn’t prove enough as Logan missed out on safety by three points in 2022. Their success in last year’s edition of the Australia Cup will spur them on; Logan will now have to prove they have what it takes to begin the fight for promotion back to the NPL competition.
Last Season: 10th (NPL)
Home Ground: Cornubia Park
Coach: James Coutts
MITCHELTON FC: |
Mitchelton lost nine games last season by a manner of only one goal and will be hoping that they can turn these close results into meaningful points in 2023. Severely impacted by the floods early on in 2022, Mitchelton will be looking for a successful on-field start to the new season.
Last Season: 10th
Home Ground: Teralba Park
Coach: Adam Bennett
SOUTHSIDE EAGLES |
After a mid-table finish in the 2022 season, Southside Eagles will look to build upon last season’s results to improve for this year. Having retained many of their squad members from last year, Head Coach Claude Capelli will be confident of causing a few upsets again this season like they have already in the Kappa Pro Series.
Last Season: 7th
Home Ground: Memorial Park
Coach: Claude Capelli
SUNSHINE COAST FC |
After narrowly avoiding relegation in 2022 despite recording wins against some of the stronger sides in the league last year, Sunshine Coast FC will have ambitions to come out stronger this season and make a charge up the table.
Last Season: 8th
Home Ground: Kawana Sports Western Precinct
Coach: Daniel Carew
SURFERS PARADISE APOLLO |
Surfers Paradise Apollo enter the 2023 season as potential favourites having recorded an outstanding 2022 season as they finished top of the table on 55 points and secured the Premiership-Championship double. With the league’s top goal scorer Teddy Watson leading the line they have already proven themselves amongst the NPL’s best, beating Sunshine Coast Wanderers 1-0 in their Kappa Pro Series clash earlier this month.
Last Season: 1st (FQPL 2)
Home Ground: Lex Bell Oval
Coach: Alex Morrison
SWQ THUNDER |
Top four side SWQ Thunder’s 2022 campaign came to an end at the hands of Redlands United in last year’s Semi Finals, but with a strong few seasons under their belt, the title contenders could go all the way this year.
Last Season: 4th
Home Ground: Clive Berghofer Stadium
Coach: Sam Gahan
WESTERN PRIDE |
Western Pride narrowly missed out on the top four last season after claiming only one point in their final five games. They’ve turned this form around in the Kappa Pro Series though, securing two wins from two against Albany Creek Excelsior and Brisbane Strikers 3-0 and 2-1 respectively, and enter the 2023 FQPL 1 season as strong contenders for a Finals Series finish.
Last Season: 6th
Home Ground: Briggs Road Sporting Complex
Coach: Garrett McDuling
WYNNUM WOLVES FC |
Despite losing the FQPL 2 Grand Final to Surfers Paradise Apollo, Wynnum Wolves closed out the three promoted sides for 2023 after finishing third in the league. They come into the 2023 FQPL 1 season having gained a hard-earned point in a 0-0 draw against NPL opposition Easter Suburbs in the Kappa Pro Series earlier this month.
Last Season: 3rd (FQPL 2)
Home Ground: Wayne Gracey Field
Coach: Mark Wills
Complete list of Round 1 Fixtures:
ALBANY CREEK EXCELSIOR VS MITCHELTON FC
Wolter Park, Friday 24th February 8:00pm
LOGAN LIGHTNING VS CABOOLTURE SFC
Cornubia Park, Saturday 25th February 5:00pm
SWQ THUNDER VS CAPALABA FC
Clive Berghofer Stadium, Saturday 25th February 6:00pm
SOUTHSIDE EAGLES VS WYNNUM WOLVES
Memorial Park, Saturday 25th February 6:00pm
BRISBANE STRIKERS VS SURFACE PARADISE APOLLO
Perry Park, Saturday 25th February 7:00pm
SUNSHINE COAST FC VS WESTERN PRIDE
Kawana Sports Western Precinct, Sunday 26th February 4:00pm
Photo credit: Patrick Leigh