National Premier Leagues Queensland 2020 - Season Preview

Gold Coast Knights celebrating their Grand Final win over Olympic FC Photo: East End Digital

Brisbane City

2019 Position: 6th

Under the guise of head coach Nick Green, City mounted a respectable 2019 campaign but never looked destined for anything more than mid-table mediocrity as the top four broke away early on. Having failed to secure a finals berth since the competitions inauguration, the one-time grand-finalists will be looking to upset the apple cart in this year's edition of the NPL Queensland.

Shannon Brady looms as a key in for The Azzurri, joining from Gold Coast Knights where he registered a goal every second game. The 23-year old winger adds a layer of unquantifiable explosivity, his partnership with former Brisbane Roar teammate Jean Carlos Solorzano promising ample goals. City have also bolstered their defensive stocks, club captain Sam Sibatuara returning to don the blue and white after a spell with Dandenong City in Victoria, while Chris Parsons will line up between the sticks this season as he replaces the departing Jake Clancy.

Questions still remain over squad depth however, with young talents Marquez Walters and Jackson Simpkin trying their hand with the Roar, while New Zealand youth international Hayden McHenery travels north to link-up with Peninsula Power. If City can get their attack fit and firing, this team could be very competitive. But if coach Green doesn't have them well drilled, another medial finish beckons.

Prediction: 5th

Ins: Shannon Brady (Gold Coast Knights), Steven Snaith (Guisborough Town), Sam Sibatuara (Dandenong City), Chris Parsons (Ipswich Knights), Aaron Midon (Murray United), Matt Smith (Gold Coast Knights)

Outs: Marquez Walters (Brisbane Roar Youth), Jackson Simpkin (Brisbane Roar Youth), Oliver Duncan (Sunshine Coast Wanderers), Jake Clancy (Mitchelton), Hayden McHenery (Peninsula Power), Sebastian Kaye (Mitchelton), Rhys Raymond (Mitchelton), Jaiden Nightingale (Mitchelton), Jesse Gibbs (Sunshine Coast Wanderers)

Brisbane Roar Youth

2019 Position: 8th

As is often the case with the Young Roar, consistency was their anathema as they coursed to an 8th placed finish in season 2019, steamrolling the cellar dwellers but being put to the sword by the competitions more classy operators.

Roar's recruitment strategy has consisted of sourcing some of Queensland's most prodigious talents. Keegan Jelacic has already cemented his name on the teamsheet, the former Lions man stamping his authority in midfield as their new-look squad narrowly missing out on a Y-League Grand-final berth, boasting a group high 22-goals scored, while looking equally formidable at the back as they conceded just 9-goals.

Snaffling the mercurial Marquez Walters from Brisbane City has salved the loss of Mirza Muratovic, whose prolific scoring record saw him streamlined to the senior team. Dauntae Mariner moves to Western Sydney as he chases his A-League ambitions, meaning they'll be without two proven goal-scorers up top, while departing regulars Tyson Martin and Emlyn Wellsmore have left a void in defence. While the Young Roar will have enough quality to fend off the bottom teams, their inexperience means they're destined for nothing more than the bottom-half.

Prediction: 10th

Ins: Jackson Simpkin (Brisbane City), Marquez Walters (Brisbane City), Keegan Jelacic (Lions), Jackson Riley (Lions), Eli Adams (SWQ Thunder), Danilo Kovacevic (Brisbane Strikers), Aiden Bender (Brisbane Strikers), Liam McArthur (Rochedale Rovers), Cai Tipaldo (Gold Coast Knights)

Outs: Lachlan Hunter (Olympic), Tyson Martin (Olympic), Jyi Oakes (Sunshine Coast Wanderers), Ezekiel Hawkins (Sunshine Coast Wanderers), Emlyn Wellsmore (Gold Coast Knights), Dauntae Mariner (Western Sydney Wanderers)

Brisbane Strikers

2019 Position: 5th

Buoyed by their miracle run to the FFA Cup semi-finals, Brisbane Strikers will be looking to translate their cup fortunes into a similarly successful league campaign. Strikers' blistering attack saw them put away 79 goals over the course of 2019, but missed out on a finals placing by virtue of the inviolable top-four.

The off-season has been blighted by a series of departures, namely goal machine Andy Pengelly, and with few additions to compensate, Strikers may lack the necessary depth to be combative on both league and cup fronts. Injury-ravaged Emilio Martinez could bring the x-factor to electrify the Strikers' decimated attack, the technically-gifted former Wanderers' and Roar prospect possessing an innate ability to fashion chances anywhere in the front-third.

Filling the 52-goal void left by Pengelly rests upon the shoulders of former junior Oliver Smith, who returns to Perry Park after a season in the Northern NSW NPL with Edgeworth Eagles. Managing a goal almost every game, Smith's performances will be key to the Strikers' successes this season, although the lack of numbers may seem them fall short of finals.

Prediction: 7th

Ins: Emilio Martinez (Free Agent), Oliver Smith (Edgeworth FC)

Outs: Andy Pengelly (Home United), Dongyoo Kim (Mitchelton), Zach Maltby (Lions), Tomi Mesaric, Josh Matcham, Danilo Kovacevic (Brisbane Roar Youth), Aiden Bender (Brisbane Roar Youth)

Capalaba FC

2019 Position: Promoted (2nd in QPL)

One of two newcomers to the competition, having finished runners-up to Sunshine Coast Wanderers in the FQPL, The Bulldogs come into 2020 with an assured demeanour.

Preferring to trust in their promotion-winning players, Capalaba have been frugal with their signings with just three arrivals, and even more modest with their outgoing players with only Nathan Yoon to speak of. Alex Warrilow looks to be a sound signing, the former Peninsula Power winger knowing what its like to make the step-up from FQPL, having accompanied Power on their promotion-winning campaign in 2018.

FQPL Team of the Season players Jake Sherwood and Ryo Ono are yearning to test themselves in the top flight, with the Japanese sensation's penchant for a stunner looking to light up the league. Head Coach Dave Booth will have them well structured, and surviving should be no hard task for them.

Prediction: 11th

Ins: Alex Warrilow (Peninsula Power), Sam Langley (Logan Lightning), Hyunggyu Yoo (Albany Creek) Outs: Nathan Yoon (Western Pride)

Eastern Suburbs

2019 Position: 9th

Eastern Suburbs will go into the new year looking to build on their inaugural top-flight campaign. Under the tutelage of Daniel Wright, who guided The Tigers to promotion in 2018, they stammered to a 9th placed finish, but boasted the best attacking record of the bottom-half.

Over a third of Suburbs' 67-goals came from departing striker Jordan Farina, the bronze-boot winner making the switch to Lions Stadium for the 2020 season. In his stead they've recruited Daeyoo Kim and former Moreton Bay man Delors Tuyishime as they look to restore fire to their front third.

A heavy impetus will be placed on the proficient Preston Hugo to kickstart their season, the 21-year old illustrating his commanding presence in midfield last season, chipping in with 5 goals to boot. While Suburbs' have solid foundations, made better by a season in the NPL, the loss of Farina looms as insuperable and they may well be resigned to another bottom-half finish.

Prediction: 8th

Ins: Daeyoo Kim, Delors Tuyishime (Moreton Bay)

Outs: Jordan Farina (Lions), Scott Fulton (Rochedale Rovers), Aaron Midkiff (Ipswich Knights)

Gold Coast Knights

2019 Position: 2nd (Champions)

The Knights coasted to a stellar Grand Final victory in their debut NPL season, and will be looking to build on their successes in 2020. The Knights were a staple feature of last year's competition, having made the step-up from the Gold Coast Premier League, and wrapped up their 70-point season accordingly with a Championship.

Falling victim to the dodgy NPL-to-A-League transfer system, keeper Josh Langdon's move to the West, Cai Tipaldo's to the Roar Youth, and NPL Queensland Young Player of the Year Oskar Dillon, whose found his feet with Western United, are all notable departures. Dillon's departure is compounded by the loss of former Brisbane Roar captain Matt Smith, meaning the Knights once impenetrable defence is ostensibly vulnerable.

Brought in to steady the back is Heidelberg United's Paul O'Brien, while fullback Emlyn Wellsmore also makes the trip down the M1, joining on from the Young Roar. Mitigating the losses of attackers Sam Smith and Shannon Brady is Scotland's Matthew Henvey, who turned out a number of times for Dundee in the Scottish Premier League. He is complemented by the addition of crafty Colombian Jheison Macuace, who's volatility augments an already lethal attack. Having retained the core of their Championship-winning contingent, the Knights have the capacity to be a force again, but may struggle to replicate their prior success.

Prediction: 6th

Ins: Jheison Macuace (Lions), Paul O'Brien (Heidelberg United), Matthew Henvey (Free Agent), Emlyn Wellsmore (Brisbane Roar Youth), Guilherme Desouza

Outs: Sam Smith (Gold Coast United), Euan Thum-Davison (Gold Coast United), Cai Tipaldo (Brisbane Roar Youth), Joshua Langdon (Perth Glory), Oskar Dillon (Western United), Shannon Brady (Brisbane City), Matt Smith (Brisbane City)

Gold Coast United

2019 Position: 7th

Gold Coast United have been one of the more lively sides throughout the transfer window, and have been rewarded for the diligence with some marquee names as they look to move on from an uninspired 2019.

Headlining the clubs Summer business is former New Zealand international Shane Smeltz, who returns to the Gold Coast after nine years in the wilderness. The 2nd-highest A-League goalscorer of all-time, at 38-years of age Smeltz has all the nous and experience to take the league by storm, with his linkup with Knights defector Sam Smith ensuring goals a-plenty.

United have also bolstered their keeping stocks with the signing of highly-rated shotstopper Aidan Munford, who's made the move up north from the Central Coast Mariners' youth ranks. Tyler Wagstaffe and Conor Smith loom as the Coast's biggest losses, their absences alleviated by the poaching of Knights' prospects Euan Thum-Davison and Aniss Langhai, with this years derby promising to be a feisty affair. With some star recruitment, Gold Coast United look to be the darkhorse of this NPL campaign, and may cause an upset or two come finals time.

Prediction: 3rd

Ins: Shane Smeltz (Free Agent), Sam Smith (Gold Coast Knights), Euan Thum-Davison (Gold Coast Knights), Jamie Vesey (Logan Lightning), Aniss Langhai (Gold Coast Knights), Aidan Munford (Central Coast Mariners), Zack Kalinikos (Surfers Paradise Apollo)

Outs: Tyler Wagstaffe (Logan Lightning), Conor Smith (Logan Lightning), Brandon Lemay (Logan Lightning), Dean Wernerson (Logan Lightning), David Barker (Sunshine Coast FC), Jackson Boyd (Palm Beach), Jacob Pfefferkorn

Lions FC

2019 Position: 1st (Semi-finalists)

Having claimed back-to-back Premierships in the past two seasons, Lions will come roaring in to 2020 with every intent of adding to their burgeoning honours list. The task has been complicated by the loss of Head Coach Warren Moon to the Brisbane Roar Academy, but assistant-turned-manager Darren Sime will be hoping to keep their trophy tradition alive.

It's a testament to Lions administration that the loss of star attackers Marek Madle and Jheison Macuace, who contributed 32-goals for Lions in their Premiership run, has been salved by the arrivals of Jordan Farina and Zach Maltby, both equally as lethal in attack. Joining Moon on the outs list is young midfielder Keegan Jelacic, while Chris Hatfield's transfer to Dandenong Thunder leaves them looking undermanned in their nucleus.

With Lions managing to preserve the bulk of their star-studded squad, including Team of the Year players Mitch Hore, Danny Kim and Tommy Jarrard, they've enough quality to maintain their top-challenging mentality, but may fall short depth-wise if asked to mount a cup campaign.

Prediction: 4th

Ins: Jordan Farina (Eastern Suburbs), Zach Maltby (Brisbane Strikers)

Outs: Keegan Jelacic (Brisbane Roar Youth), Rhys Webster (Western Pride), Adam Sawyer (Western Pride), Marek Madle (Peninsula Power), Jheison Macuace (Gold Coast Knights), Chris Hatfield (Dandenong Thunder)

Magpies Crusaders United

2019 Position: 12th

The revolving door has been in full swing over the off-season for Magpies Crusaders. The Mackay-based outfit has recruited 13 players to balance out the 10-player cull of the squad that jostled to an uninspired 12th place last season.

Notable departees include Magpies FC bound duo Michael Lyall, whose 18 strikes saw him take home the clubs golden boot last season, and shotstopper Mitchell Wright, whose form in goals was enough to earn him a bench spot in the NPL QLD Team of the Season. In his stead Crusaders' have poached promising Canberra United custodian William Lejeune, whose penchant for the acrobatic promises to keep the Crusaders in good hands.

Nestled amongst the swathe of North Queensland recruits lies former Belgian youth international Jordy Vleugels, who joins from Cyprussian Second Division side PO Xylotymbou. Vleugels, who spent his formative years with Willem II in the Eredivisie, could provide the star power that Magpies have been sorely lacking, and his efforts will be key to ensuring their survival.

Prediction: 14th

Ins: Jordy Vleugels (PO Xylotymbou), Dylan D'Agostino (Western Strikers), Mitchell Maher (MA Olympic), Masimango Benjamin (Townsville Warriors), Clancy Robinson (Mackay Wanderers), Thomas Prosser (The Cove), Craig Shearer (WT Birkalla), Daniel Goni (Mount Druitt), Jaiden Brown (Free Agents), Ezra Kennell (Magpies FC), Joshua Signey (Hawke's Bay), Willem Lejeune (Canberra United), Zane Menzies (Magpies FC)

Outs: Matt Haspells (Western Pride), Mitchell Herrmann (Ipswich Knights), Mitchell Wright (Magpies FC), Nelson Burgess, Warrick Jansen (Magpies FC), Liam Shipton, Benjamin Coombes, Michael Lyall (Magpies FC), Jayden Connor (City Brothers FC), Kade Starrett

Moreton Bay United

2019 Position: 10th

Moreton Bay is another club that has undergone wholesale changes in preparation of the new season. Having avoided being drawn into a relegation battle last season, United have turned to former player Royce Brownlie to strengthen their league aspirations.

With a raft of new signings arriving at the club, Carter Glockner looms as the key man to help them rise up the table. Glockner, a staple of Queensland football with spells at Lions and Brisbane City, scored 18-goals in 18-games for Mitchelton last season, and should provide the necessary firepower to replace the departing Riley Campbell.

He is accompanied by Emryn Donnelly-Fagan and Jordan Loy, meaning assimilation into the team should come naturally for the trio. Matt Heath should also provide a solid foundation for their midfield, amassing a large sum of top-flight appearances with Olympic FC and Peninsula Power. Brownlie will need to utilise all his tactical nous to get Moreton Bay firing, but avoiding relegation may be a task too great for the Albany Creek-based side.

Prediction: 13th

Ins: James Harkin (Free Agent), Sean Lewis (Albany Creek), Stephen Green (Free Agent), Emryn Donnelly-Fagan (Mitchelton), Matt Heath (Peninsula Power), Lachie Strogusz (Sunshine Coast Wanderers), Cartner Glockner (Mitchelton), Jordan Loy (Mitchelton)

Outs: Liam Cosgrove, Ali Gholami, Chris Couesnon, Jamie Dimitrof, Kres Bek, Simon Biel, Delors Tuyishime (Eastern Suburbs), Riley Campbell (Sunshine Coast Wanderers)

Olympic FC

2019 Position: 4th (Runners-up)

Olympic FC found themselves on the end of another Grand Final loss last season, suffering defeat at the hands of Gold Coast Knights in the Championship decider. But a slew of star signings should have Head Coach Ben Cahn licking his lips at the prospect of some belated finals glory.

2019 Y-League joint top scorer Daniel Leck joins from Pascoe Vale in Victoria. With a strike-rate more befitting of a centre-forward, the former Brisbane Roar man is adept at any flank position, turning out at both right wing and right back during his limited A-League minutes. Also switching out the Black and Orange for the Red and White are Tyson Martin and the diminutive Lachlan Hunter, the latter having a standout 2019 between the sticks.

Their high-flying attack has been enfeebled by the loss of dynamic duo Alex Smith and Chris Lucas, who together contributed massively to 2019's 85-goal haul. While their attack may need some reconfiguring, Olympic have too much quality to finish outside the top-four, with silverware this season being a tangible prospect.

Prediction: 1st

Ins: Daniel Leck (Pascoe Vale), Tom Aulton (South Melbourne), Tyson Martin (Brisbane Roar Youth), Frederick Yinka-Kehinde (Holland Park Hawks), Lachlan Hunter (Brisbane Roar Youth), Nicholas Mooney (Logan Lightning)

Outs: Alex Smith (Retired), Noah Humphries (Mitchelton), Dayan Baker (Mitchelton), Angus Huang (Logan Lightning), Chris Lucas (Dandenong City)

Peninsula Power

2019 Position: 3rd (Semi-finalists)

Having continued their meteoric rise in Queensland football with an admirable 3rd placed finish at their first time of asking, Power will be looking to excel and further establish themselves as one of Queensland's biggest clubs.

Their transfer business has consisted more of consolidating than restructuring, with a few key ins to balance out a smattering of big outs. Having to contend with the departure of Englishman Dean Briggs, who returns to his homeland, the procuring of Team of the Year benchwarmer Marek Madle, who bagged 20-goals in 28-games for Lions last season, means Power's already virulent vanguard will be firing on all cylinders this season.

Their defence has further been fortified by the acquisition of former Brisbane Roar centre-back Cameron Crestani, who joins from the relegated Western Pride, while former New Zealand Youth international Hayden McHenery makes the switch from Spencer Park. With Power demonstrating their ability to go neck-in-neck with the competitions heavyweights last season, they've all the potential to go one further and may even secure silverware for their troubles.

Prediction: 2nd

Ins: Cameron Crestani (Western Pride), Hayden McHenery (Brisbane City), Marek Madle (Lions)

Outs: Alex Warrilow (Capalaba FC), Matt Heath (Moreton Bay), Alex Sargent (Western Pride), Ramone Close (Retired), Dean Briggs

Redlands United

2019 Position: 11th

Finding themselves adrift at the bottom at the midway point of the season, Redlands' turn around to 11th place was nothing short of sensational. Spearheaded by the evergreen Kado Aoci, who notched 13-goals in 21-appearances after transferring from Souths United in the FQPL, they picked up a series of barnstorming wins over relegation rivals, but still looked a class below the top-six.

Purging last-years relegation fodder of their finer players, Redlands are looking to re-establish themselves as one of Queensland's more formidable foes. English striker Rory Smith will be looking to inspire them to a profitable campaign. Prolific for Ramsgate FC in the Isthmian League, the youngster, who had trial spells with Aberdeen in the Scottish Premier League, brings a quality not seen at Cleveland Showgrounds since club icon Graham Fyfe departed.

With the club's deadwood sold down the river, Ipswich trio Max Davidson, Kelton Scriggins and Gabby Hawash all look like solid signings, their NPL experience combined with that of rough and tumble midfielder Kimba Kimbombo, means that Redlands should be moving up the table and steering clear of any relegation dogfights.

Prediction: 12th

Ins: Rory Smith (Ramsgate FC), Max Davidson (Western Pride), Gabriel Hawash (Western Pride), Kelton Scriggins (Western Pride), Kimba Kimbombo (SWQ Thunder)

Outs: Igor Sae Jose, Jack Richardson, Raphael Ngoyi, Alex Hastings, Mikhail Hastings, Russell Parker (Wolves FC), Seb Hernando (Mitchelton)

Sunshine Coast Wanderers

2019 Position: Promoted (1st in QPL)

With the NPL's perennial whipping boys finally taking their rightful place in the FQPL, it falls to the Sunshine Coast Wanderers to restore pride to football on the Sunshine Coast. The newest club in Queensland, Wanderers will be looking to carry their promotion winning form into their debut top-flight season, with a series of shrewd signings meaning they'll be looking to upset the status quo in season 2020.

The Wanderers' have supplemented an already skilled squad, managing to hold onto the majority of their promotion-winning contingent. The addition of attacking livewire Jyi Oakes should energize the frontage, while fellow former Roar youngsters Ezekiel Hawkins and Ollie Duncan also make the move up north.

Striker Riley Campbell, who found the back of the net 34 times in 77 games for Moreton Bay over the past 3 seasons, brings invaluable experience to complement the young side, with pedigree players such as Jeremy Stewart and Michael Angus needing to lead with mettle if they want to mount a respectable campaign.

Prediction: 9th

Ins: Jyi Oakes (Brisbane Roar Youth), Ezekiel Hawkins (Brisbane Roar Youth), Slayde Stokes (Moreton Bay), Jayden Emery (Caloundra), Michael Harth (Sunshine Coast), Matt Holley (Sunshine Coast), Ollie Duncan (Brisbane City), Will Brown (Sunshine Coast), Nick Harvey (Beerwah Glasshouse), Tyler Morse (Sunshine Coast), Harrison Bowen (Sunshine Coast), Nicholas Taylor, Jesse Gibbs (Brisbane City), Riley Campbell (Moreton Bay)

Outs: James Enticknap (Maroochydore), Nick Arden (Maroochydore), Karl Vonhoff (Maroochydore), Lachie Strogusz (Moreton Bay), Michael Scarff (Retired), Josh Forshey (Caloundra)