FQPL3 Sunshine Coast coaches uncover their side’s keys to the grand final
Senior Sunshine Coast football coaches have broken down their road to the grand final as they uncover their key players, match-ups and tactics. Read the full FQPL3 finals preview.
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The battle for the major silverware has arrived with the first round of FQPL3 men’s and women’s Sunshine Coast finals set to get underway on Friday night.
The top four teams from both competitions have progressed through to the semi- finals before the preliminary final is played on September 9 and the grand final at the Sunshine Coast Stadium on September 16.
Caloundra FC took home the minor premiership in the men’s competition and will play the Noosa Lions while the Woombye Snakes will take on Kawana FC who are separated by just one point.
In the women’s division it was Beerwah Glasshouse Utd who claimed top spot and will take on last season’s winners, the Maroochydore Swans while the Noosa Lions and Woombye Snakes battle it out for a spot in the preliminary final.
Football Queensland’s Central Coast Region General Manager Jordie Gerbes said the following weeks were very intriguing.
“We’ve seen both FQPL men’s and women’s top four coming down to the final round, with two points separating places two to four in the men’s space, and eight points between the entire top four of the women’s competition,” she said.
“Our premiers in both competitions have risen from last year’s ashes, with both the Caloundra men and Beerwah Glasshouse United’s women climbing from sixth place finishes in 2022, to taking out the top spot for 2023.
“It really shows that the sport is ever-evolving and the new talent coming through is improving across the board with these tight score lines and revolving ladder positions year-on-year.”
Gerbes said she wasn’t revealing her grand final prediction just yet.
“We have our work cut out for us predicting who could win - or even make it through - to the grand final, as our top four will need to progress through the first round of semis, followed by the preliminary finals.
“What we have seen so far is the dangerous attack by Woombye’s Luke Alderson, Caloundra’s Ethan Galbraith and Maroochydore’s Postan sisters, Gabby and Ruby.
“If we manage to see any of those forwards in the grand final matches, you can expect some high quality goals.”
Read below to find out what each coach had to say ahead of their finals match-ups.
FQPL3 Men’s
1st: Caloundra FC
Wins: 12 Losses: 2 Draws: 2 Pts: 38
Head coach: Trent Kelly
Biggest Strength: “I feel probably defensively, we haven't leaked many goals and have got a class keeper in Connor Cullen. It’s a bit weird but he’s probably been our player of the year which is a bit odd when you get the minor premiership. We’ve had a big squad so with the amount of injuries, suspensions, players missing it’s really helped. With the way the draw went this year as well it’s been tough playing either one game every few weeks and then having multiple matches in the same week.”
Needs Improvement: “I’d say being more clinical in the final third. We probably didn’t score as many goals as we were hoping for this year so that’s our key focus over the next few sessions. If we can get things right in the final third and put teams away it means we’re not battling in the final five or 10 minutes of the game.”
Key/Standout Players: “We’ve spoken about it since day one that it was never about the individuals and we’re in a really good place as a group to be honest. All year there’s been no major stand out to be honest, everyone has been on par.
Finals Edge: “I think personally all the boys have clicked well on and off field. With teams I’ve coached in the past there’s a few issues with personnel but these boys have clicked since pre-season and we’ve had plenty of social events together. As a group they work for each other and I think that will put us in good stead throughout finals.”
2nd: Noosa Lions
Wins: 9 Losses: 3 Draws: 4 Pts: 31
Head coach: Ben Amson
Biggest Strength: “I’d say it’s been the boys ability to keep grinding away, especially when the going gets tough. We’ve managed to keep battling, we haven't had all of the results go our way and have sometimes been our worst enemy but our injury list could probably win prems it’s that good.”
Needs Improvement: “Availability is the big one. We’ve had so many guys going away on overseas trips and then the injury toll is just relentless so availability across the park is what stands out.”
Key/Standout Players: “Jarvis Bennell at right back has been a surprise packet for us this season. He’s a good kid and has been phenomenal throughout the season. Another key player has been Ollie Blackmore, unfortunately we lost him a few weeks ago to an ACL injury but I’m sure all the boys would agree that he was crucial for us and one of the first names on the team sheet.”
Finals Edge: “A win in the last round was huge for us as it now gives us two bites at the cherry to get to the grand final if need be. It’s a close competition but I don’t expect anything less than three points every time we walk out onto the pitch.”
3rd: Woombye Snakes
Wins: 10 Losses: 6 Draws: 0 Pts: 30
Head coach: Matt Park
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4th: Kawana FC
Wins: 9 Losses: 5 Draws: 2 Pts: 29
Head coach: Brad Lloyd
Biggest Strength: “I think our biggest strength has probably been our youth. Sometimes it can be your biggest weakness as well with the lack of experience but I think just the freedom that the boys play with and not worrying about the consequences as much. They aren’t as pressured as much but the consequences of certain plays so that’s helped us I think.”
Needs Improvement: “On the flip side the biggest thing we have had trouble with this year has been having so many new and younger players and having them buy into the senior side of football. It’s a big change for a new side when there’s a number of 18-year-old kids playing first grade football. They’ve come from juniors to seniors quite quickly so that’s been the biggest thing we’ve had to overcome this year.”
Key/Standout Players: “I think Tom Croft has definitely been a standout player for us. To be honest I think all of the young kids that are new to the side this year have been pretty impressive.”
Finals Edge: “Slipping to fourth in the last round was a bit tough but we want to bounce back and build some good momentum into the finals. We’ve been building quite well recently so if we can carry that in and get to show our younger players what finals football is all about that would be great. We’re really looking forward to it.”
FQPL3 Women’s
1st: Beerwah Glasshouse Utd
Wins: 16 Losses: 3 Draws: 2 Pts: 50
Head coach: Amy Higgins
Biggest Strength: “I’d say the versatility in the players this season. The ability to have certain players missing or injured and not have it affect the squad as much. There’s plenty of players that can play a number of positions and still get the job done.”
Needs Improvement: “I think using our opportunities in front of the box a bit better. To really crucify teams when we have the chance would be the main thing.”
Key/Standout Players: “Our captain and centre-back Jessica Grasso is just such a controller of the game back there. She brings a great sense of astility to our side and then Melissa Weckert up front is such a game-changer. She’s always happy to put one in the back of the net late in the game so they’d be out two players.”
Finals Edge: “I think not changing much would be the key to us going all the way. We’ve had a pretty standard game plan for most of the year and we won’t look at changing too much going into finals. Our field at Beerwah is quite big as well so fitness shouldn’t be an issue which I think will also work in favour.”
2nd: Maroochydore Swans
Wins: 15 Losses: 3 Draws: 3 Pts: 48
Head coach: Gareth Simmonds
Biggest Strength: “We’ve been fairly strong defensively which sets us up in attack fairly well.”
Needs Improvement: “I’d say getting our best 11 on the field. With players away and injuries it hasn’t happened much this season but when it does we play really well so hopefully everyone can stay fresh. The week off helps as well so hopefully everyone is fit and ready and raring to go.”
Key/Standout Players: “Our goalkeeper Carissa Pershouse, our striker Ruby Postan has been great and probably Kiama Marsh has been a bit of a surprise really as she’s really come into her own in the last few rounds.
Finals Edge: “To be honest I think any of the top four teams can win it all. I think the league has been incredibly strong this year in the top four. All of the games against them have been a real battle because in other seasons it’s been just two or three teams that could’ve won it. If I was a betting man it’d be too tough to call at this point, I think on the day it will come down to which key players step up. I’ve really enjoyed the competition this year and the competitive battles against those other top four teams. It’s been such a great season for the women’s so hopefully we can get our best players on the park and win it all.”
3rd: Noosa Lions
Wins: 15 Losses: 5 Draws: 1 Pts: 46
Head coach: Oli Williams and Matt Digwood
Biggest Strength: “The team atmosphere and camaraderie has been the biggest strength. everyone has pulled together and the positive vibe around the club has massively contributed to the success of the team.”
Needs Improvement: “We haven’t had any serious weaknesses. It took us a while to gel at the start of the season with so many new faces and that probably was the difference between us missing out on a top two spot.”
Key/Standout Players: “It’s definitely been a team effort and everyone had played a crucial role. Clariss ‘CJ’ Jane would be one of the surprise packets as we’d never seen her play before. Both Jackie and Jess Doyle and Tahla Hammond have been the firepower going forward with Jas Garland and Kayla Perry being brick walls at the back.”
Finals Edge: “I think if we can get the ball to our front three in good areas early and score some first half goals we will be in a good place this Friday.”
4th: Woombye Snakes
Wins: 13 Losses: 5 Draws: 3 Pts: 42
Head coach: Jordan Nisbet
Biggest Strength: “The togetherness of the team has been great. We’ve had a lot of injuries this year but the girls never gave in, never stopped week-in-week-out. As a club our under 23’s and our senior women have all helped each other and all of the other teams.”
Needs Improvement: “I’d say as a team and from myself, player management. To make sure everyone is fit, avoiding injuries and looking after ourselves. It would be nice as well to not be having to play so many games in the same week.”
Key/Standout Players: “We’ve had a few so far this season such as Georgia Dixson and Raelle Avery. They’ve had great seasons this year up front with both of them scoring goals and creating good opportunities.”
Finals Edge: “The girls know that if we show up on game-day that we can win the next three games. For us it’s a mentality thing and belief that we can do it on the night. If we give it a red hot crack we know what we’re capable of.”
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