Brisbane City
2021 Position: Promoted (FQPL1 Premiers)
After suffering the ignominy of relegation in 2020, Brisbane City bounced back in an undefeated promotion charge at the first time of asking.
The Azzurri have managed to retain the majority of their double-winning squad, with midfielder Kai Fiechtner and defender Tyson Martin the only notable departures to speak of. City have sourced like-for-like replacements for the departed, with stalwart defender Luke Plummer joining from reigning Premiers Peninsula Power.
The versatile Roman Hofmann looms as a key piece in City's success in 2022. The vastly experienced midfielder will slot in behind star attacking talents Yuto Hirayama and Kye Bolton, with Matt Smith's side threatening to recapture City's success of old.
Prediction: 6th
Key Player: Kye Bolton
Ins: Luke Plummer (Peninsula Power), Roman Hofmann (Gold Coast Knights), Jackson Simpkin (Brisbane Roar Youth)
Outs: Kai Fiechtner (Eastern Suburbs), Tyson Martin (Gold Coast Knights), Adam Sawyer (Western Pride)
Brisbane Roar Youth
2021 Position: 2nd (Semi-finalists)
Brisbane Roar Youth showed that seniority is superfluous as they ravaged their way into a record high second-place. They were at their vivacious best as they recorded 82 goals over 26 games, with a mean defence to match.
As is the nature of A-League youth sides, the Young Roar have undergone a massive cleanout, with most of last season's squad having either moved out or moved up to the Roar's A-League squad.
But the black and orange production line means they could establish themselves as an eminent side for years to come. With the U23's and U18's finishing 1st and 2nd respectively, they are engineering a winning culture that could translate seamlessly into Young Roar success this season.
Prediction: 5th
Key Player: Sam Klein
Ins: Alec Mills (Melbourne City), Jakob Mudnic (Capalaba FC)
Outs: Ben Holliday (Mitchelton FC), Jacson Riley (Gold Coast United), Oliver Dearn (Gold Coast United), Nathan Foster (Moreton Bay United), Keegan Jelacic (Olympic FC), Jackson Hart-Phillips (Lions FC), Hassan Ramazani (Lions FC), Solomon Weldemariam (Peninsula Power), Harry Talbot (Peninsula Power), Jackson Simpkin (Brisbane City), Josip Milicevic (Gold Coast Knights)
Capalaba FC
2021 Position: 11th
After narrowly avoiding relegation, courtesy of a 1-0 win over their rivals Redlands United on the final day of the season, Capalaba FC are gearing up for their third year of NPL football.
Dave McEvoy's side have been elusive in the transfer market so far, with the Bulldogs preferring to solidify and settle on last season's experiences. Skipper Tristan Hugo returns for a second season in the heart of defence, his partnership with Russell Parker integral to Capalaba's survival hopes.
Promising midfielder Jakob Mudnic has sealed a move to the Brisbane Roar Youth. His departure, along with Daniel Simic's, leaves Capalaba looking short-staffed in the middle. While tenacity was enough to secure survival last season, it may be a bridge too far in 2022.
Prediction: 12th
Key Player: Tristan Hugo
Ins:
Outs: Daniel Simic (Magpies Crusaders), Jakob Mudnic (Brisbane Roar Youth) Sam Noye (SWQ Thunder)
Eastern Suburbs
2021 Position: 9th
After stammering to a second ninth-placed finish in three years, Eastern Suburbs will be hoping to escape the tedium of mediocrity under the guise of new Head Coach David Booth.
Former FQPL Coach of the Year nominee, Booth, guided Capalaba FC to promotion in 2019 and will be hoping to extend that success to his Tigers' career. Ex-Gold Coast Knights magician Cian Cuba has returned from an overseas stint, linking up with another ex-Knight in Morgan Saunders to electrify their attack.
Daniel Cunha's experience will help settle a young midfield bolstered by new signings Connor Booth and Kai Fiechtner. Whether Booth's work will take effect this season remains to be seen, but avoiding a relegation scrap will be key as Suburbs look to steady the ship.
Prediction: 11th
Key Player: Hyeong-joon Son
Ins: Jeremy Saint (Australian Institute of Sport), Cian Cuba (Overseas), Kai Fiechtner (Brisbane City), Daniel Cunha (Peninsula Power) Morgan Saunders (Southport SC) Connor Booth (Peninsula Power)
Outs: Michael Morrow (Rochedale Rovers), Kaelen Crawford (Mitchelton FC), Daniel Varma (Redlands FC)
Gold Coast Knights
2021 Position: 6th
After a bitterly disappointing campaign that saw the 2019 Champions adrift in 6th, new coach Scott McDonald will look to return Gold Coast Knights to winning ways. A strain of attacking talent has signed on after their ever virulent attack was inoculated last season.
Marquee man Mirza Muratovic will link up with former Newcastle Jets forward Kristian Brymora, the ex-A-League pair like-for-like replacements for the departed Nick Panetta and Marek Madle. Electric Colombian Jheison Macuace has crossed over to rivals Gold Coast United, with Jai Ingham's move to South Melbourne lessening their sting in attack.
Former Italian Youth International Pasquale De Vita will line up with Brazilian Janiel Da Silva, making their midfield a force to be reckoned with. While the Knights' big budget signings have not always paid dividends, their FFA Cup run suggested that this season will be a return to form for the ex-Champions.
Prediction: 3rd
Key Player: Mitch Nichols
Ins: Tyson Martin (Brisbane City), Mirza Muratovic (Wellington Phoenix), Kristian Brymora (Edgeworth Eagles), Janiel Da Silva (Altona Magic), Pasquale De Vita (SWQ Thunder), Will Peck (Kempston Rovers), Josip Milicevic (Brisbane Roar Youth)
Outs: Junya Yabe (Magpies Crusaders), Nick Panetta (Tallebudgera Valley Tigers), Marek Madle (Rochedale Rovers), Zach Cavali (Magpies Crusaders), Roman Hoffman (Brisbane City), Dauntae Mariner (Logan Lightning), Jheison Macuace (Gold Coast United), Jai Ingham (South Melbourne)
Gold Coast United
2021 Position: 8th
Gold Coast United have struggled to stamp the authority befitting of a club of their stature since joining the league in 2018.
Another mid-table finish means United have failed to finish higher than seventh, last achieved in 2019. But with a number of key ins trumping a smattering of outs, Grae Piddick's men will be hoping for a record high finish in 2022. Jheison Macuace's switch from rivals Gold Coast Knights looms as their best piece of business, with the Colombian bagging 17 goals in 20 games last season.
Promising goalkeeper Jacson Riley has linked with United from the Brisbane Roar Youth, joining another Young Roar player in Oliver Dearn. Conor Smith also rejoins the club after two seasons at Logan Lightning. While Macuace promises to excite the Coplicks-based side, making inroads into the top half may be a tough ask for an unremarkable squad.
Prediction: 9th
Key Player: Jheison Macuace
Ins: Jacson Riley (Brisbane Roar Youth), Oliver Dearn (Brisbane Roar Youth), Liam Goulding (Logan Lightning), Conor Smith (Logan Lightning), Jheison Macuace (Gold Coast Knights)
Outs: Sam King (Surfers Paradise Apollo), Alexandre Tabillion (Rochedale Rovers)
Lions FC
2021 Position: 4th (Champions)
After a typically assured 2021 campaign, which was christened by a second consecutive Premiership, Lions' transfer business has been nothing short of exceptional.
Headlined by the signing of two-time Golden Boot winner Andy Pengelly, Darren Sime's squad is laden with quality. New Zealand International Matt Ridenton has joined from Wellington Phoenix, while highly-rated Brisbane Roar defensive duo Jackson Hart-Phillips and Hassan Ramazani will link up at Richlands.
Cult custodian Luke Borean's move to Brisbane Strikers has been salved by the addition of ex-Goalkeeper of the Year Aidan Munford, who joins from the Roar. While the loss of Jordan Farina and Max Mikkola could have been cause for concern, Lions' stellar recruitment means that silverware is almost certain.
Prediction: 1st
Key Player: Andy Pengelly
Ins: Andy Pengelly (Peninsula Power), Matt Ridenton (Wellington Phoenix), Jackson Hart-Phillips (Brisbane Roar Youth), Aidan Munford (Brisbane Roar), Hassan Ramazani (Brisbane Roar Youth)
Outs: Luke Borean (Brisbane Strikers FC), Jordan Farina (Brisbane Strikers FC), Max Mikkola (South Melbourne FC)
Logan Lightning
2021 Position: 10th
Logan Lightning had a solid if unspectacular first season in the NPL Queensland. Marred by a multitude of narrow losses, they struggled to string together a consistent run of results as they finished 10th.
Lightning have seen a turnover of a number of personnel key to their double-winning squad of 2020. Liam Goulding and Conor Smith have signed on down the M1 at Gold Coast United, while attackers Adam Edgar and Feli Sheriff join Mitchelton FC and Brisbane Strikers respectively.
In their stead arrives scintillating winger Dauntae Mariner, who will be teeing up new striker Jacob Fulluck, joining from Sunshine Coast Wanderers. Despite the slew of shrewd signings, the outs outweigh the ins and Logan Lightning may struggle to an uninspired finish.
Prediction: 10th
Key Player: Jed Brown
Ins: Jacob Fulluck (Sunshine Coast Wanderers), Daniel Mitwali (Whittlesea Rangers), Jacob Boutoubia (Gold Coast City FC), Eddie Bidwell (Devonport Strikers), Dauntae Mariner (Gold Coast Knights)
Outs: Adam Edgar (Mitchelton FC), Liam Goulding (Gold Coast United), Matthew Lugo (Free Agent), Feli Sheriff (Brisbane Strikers FC), Randolph Gonpue (Souths United), Conor Smith (Gold Coast United)
Moreton Bay United
2021 Position: 7th
It was a season of inconsistencies for Moreton Bay United as they secured a seventh-place finish. Possessing two of the competition's most prolific in Ryo Ono and Zachary Kierpal, United carved some impressively high-scoring games as they notched 75 goals.
But that high-scoring was reflected on both ends of the score-line, with Moreton Bay leaking 57 goals. Having not played finals football since 2018, their hopes have been complicated by the loss of star striker Kierpal.
In his stead, they've signed the mercurial Marquez Walters. The forward is a known quantity in the NPL after successful spells with Brisbane City and Brisbane Roar Youth. While mid-table beckons again for Moreton, they may yet throw a spanner in the works for the top four.
Prediction: 7th
Key Player: Ryo Ono
Ins: Marquez Walters (Preston Lions), Nathan Foster (Brisbane Roar Youth)
Outs: Ryan Mcinnes (North Star), Kyle Speirs (North Star), Sam Dickinson (North Star), Tom Vosper (North Star), Ethan Grimley (Brisbane Strikers FC), Zachary Kierpal (Olympic FC)
Olympic FC
2021 Position: 3rd (Runners-up)
2021 was par for the course for Olympic FC. A fourth consecutive Grand-final appearance consigned them to a fourth consecutive Grand-final loss, with Ben Cahn giving Tony Popovic a run for his money.
New signing Zachary Kierpal looks to be a balm to Olympic's no. 9 woes. With wingers Shannon Brady and Daniel Leck shouldering 32 of their side's 52 goals, Kierpal could be the missing piece to an already virulent puzzle. Their attacking stocks are boosted by highly-rated Roar prospect Keegan Jelacic, while Japanese duo Takeru Okada and Taira Yoshimura look to be stand-out signings.
The diminutive Jean-Philippe Lasm has departed after four seasons at the club, taking with him a key cog in Olympic's midfield machine. With outstanding additions complimenting an already classy core contingent, silverware will be a must as they look to vindicate three season's of heartbreak.
Prediction: 2nd
Key Signing: Zachary Kierpal
Ins: Takeru Okada (Wollongong Wolves), Keegan Jelacic (Brisbane Roar), Zachary Kierpal (Moreton Bay United), Taira Yoshimura (FC Tiamo Hirakata)
Outs: Alex Barlow (Sunshine Coast Fire), David Ishimwe (Rochedale Rovers), Jean-Philippe Lasm (Free agent)
Peninsula Power
2021 Position: 1st (Semi-finalists)
Aaron Philp's Peninsula Power proved themselves as one of Queensland's premier teams in 2021. Buoyed by a 15-game unbeaten streak to start the season, Power steamrolled their way to top spot as they clinched a second straight Premiership.
But a semi-finals exit to Lions FC means a maiden Championship still eludes the men from A.J. Kelly, with a number of key outs making the task ostensibly harder. Reigning Golden-boot winner Andy Pengelly made the switch to Lions in the off-season, while star custodian Brendan White returned to Heidelberg United. Club stalwarts Daniel Cunha and Luke Plummer have parted ways, joining Eastern Suburbs and Brisbane City respectively.
An infusion of youth was on order to replenish their losses, with Power sourcing the services of three former Brisbane Roar Youth players. Solomon Weldemariam join directly from the Roar after an injury plagued 2021, while fullbacks Brodie Boyce and Daniel Cuttler made the switch from Sunshine Coast Wanderers.
While goals may be hard to come by, Power's cohesive structure means they are a threat to be reckoned with, with a finals berth not yet off the cards.
Prediction: 4th
Key Player: Joshua Woolley
Ins: Solomon Weldemariam (Brisbane Roar Youth), Brodie Boyce (Sunshine Coast Wanderers), Daniel Cuttler (Sunshine Coast Wanderers), Dan Morgan (Maritzburg United), Marko Milutinovic (Magpies Crusaders United), Tom Sutton (Inner West Hawks FC), Reece Bath (AD Merida), Ante Poljak (Green Gully SC)
Outs: Ryan Patch (North Star), Daniel Cunha (Eastern Suburbs), Andy Pengelly (Lions FC), Connor Booth (Eastern Suburbs), Brendan White (Heidelberg United FC), Luke Plummer (Brisbane City), Zander Guy (St Albans FC), Harry Talbot (Central Coast Mariners)
Sunshine Coast Wanderers
2021 Position: 5th
Paul Arnison stated his credentials as one of the NPL Queensland's best as he led Sunshine Coast Wanderers to a fifth-placed finish, just two points adrift of a maiden finals berth.
Operating on a shoestring budget, the Wanderers' put much of the competition to the sword, but came a cropper against the league's heavyweights. Three key personnel have moved over the off-season. Fullbacks Brodie Boyce and Daniel Cutler linked with Peninsula Power, while striker Jacob Fulluck departed for Logan Lightning.
This means that Sunshine Coast have lost 16 of last season's 58 goals. With Kyren Walters their only signing to date, the Wanderers still have the quality to trouble much of the league, but may fall short of last season's lofty finish.
Prediction: 8th
Key Player: Ethan Galbraith
Ins: Kyren Walters (Magpies Crusaders United)
Outs: Brodie Boyce (Peninsula Power), Daniel Cuttler (Peninsula Power), Jacob Fulluck (Logan Lightning), Tom Whittaker (Sunshine Coast Fire)
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