Game-breaking moments and key players revealed in FQPL3 grand final recaps
The 2023 Sunshine Coast football champions have been crowned as coaches and captains highlight the major moments and key players. Read every match recap.
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The dust is beginning to settle after the winning Sunshine Coast senior football sides have been crowned for 2023.
Caloundra were able to claim a 1-0 win over Noosa to be crowned FQPL3 U23 Men’s champions while Sunshine Coast Fire claimed the double in the FQPL3 U23 Women’s division.
We were there to cover all of the action from play-by-play moments, game-breaking talking points and standout players.
Senior Men: Kawana vs Noosa
Both sides began with intent as they hoped to be the first ones on the scoresheet and while they were both getting a feel for the stadium pitch Kawana were awarded a free kick after just two minutes of play.
Kawana’s Brayden Huston stepped up to take the shot just metres outside the box and opted to sneak the ball low and around the wall which was deflected by Noosa goalkeeper Sam Nickolls.
Kawana’s support men rushed to the ball but the chance went begging when it narrowly soared wide of the right goalpost.
The lucky escape was quickly forgotten for the Lions as midfielder Isaac Metherell skimmed the ball along the ground from outside of the box, hitting the left post and going wide for a goal kick.
Following 30 minutes of play the ball fell to the feet of Kawana youngster Sam Fleming who whipped the ball in close but again watched it float just over the crossbar.
Just 10 minutes later came Noosa’s second real chance of the evening through Cory Johnson attempting to curl the ball into the net which ended up shaving the right post.
That proved to be the end of the first half and although neither side could truly break into their 18 yard box there was some progressive football on show.
Just one minute after the referee began the second half he awarded a penalty to Noosa following a hand ball from Kawana’s Luke Vancam inside the six yard box.
Noosa midfielder Cory Johnson was able to collect his nerves before he placed the ball perfectly to the goalkeepers left and give the Lions a 1-0 advantage.
Kawana frontmen Josh Buchannan and Jake Rocker began to find their flow with some promising link-up play and after 60 minutes head coach Brad Lloyd opted to bring on livewire substitute Carlo Arana Tineo for Sam Fleming.
A deflected kick saw Noosa gain some open field advantage but a fantastic one-on-one tackle from Kawana’s James Ridley dispossessed Noosa striker Harry Magee inside the box.
After 67 minutes Noosa’s Ben Mander entered the field for Harry Plumb at left back and a few plays later the Lions were awarded a free kick two metres from the edge of the box.
That chance went begging as the ball never looked on target and sailed over the crossbar which later led to Kawana making a triple substitution shortly after the 70th minute mark.
Tension began to build with less than 10 minutes to play as Kawana’s Brayden Houston and Noosa’s Nick Cookman found themselves in a scuffle that saw both players shown a yellow card.
What seemed to be Kawana’s best shot of the second half came from the right boot of Ridley which lead to a corner kick.
Following that chance it was a two-on-one breakaway play from the Lions that saw striker Harry Magee beat his last defender and go 30m to place the ball in the back of the net.
That seemed to be the dagger which frustrated a few Kawana players as captain Brayden Houston was later shown a second yellow and sent off after a late push on Cookman.
The sides met again in stoppage time with a push and shove scuffle, resulting in another three yellow cards before the referee eventually called time on the match with Noosa winning 2-0.
Noosa head coach Ben Amson said post match he was extremely proud of his side and was confident after going 1-0 up.
“For us I thought it was a case of ‘a goal is coming’ as we were settling into the game better,” he said.
“That being said Kawana are scary especially when they get near and inside that final third so we knew we had to weather the storm and go at them when we could.
“My captain Luke Becconsall has really stepped up in the back half of the season as a real leader of men.
“I can’t compliment him enough to be honest, he’s been an absolute weapon on and off the field.”
Becconsall said he was amazed with the composure his side showed throughout the 90 minutes.
“The halftime chat was very much a case of keep doing the same thing,” he said.
“We knew Kawana was going to throw everything at us as they haven’t been in the past five grand finals to lay down and die.
“We knew the chances would come and that on the other side of the ball we’d have to hold our own.
“I’m just proud of the way that the boys have come together and really wrapped around each other all season.
“At the end of the day they play for each other and ultimately this one’s for Nathan (Weckert) and Bobby (Brown).”
Kawana head coach Brad Lloyd was humble following his side’s defeat.
“In the past couple of years we’ve probably had the most experienced side going around on the Sunshine Coast so tonight on the other side we thought the young enthusiasm would help them out,” he said.
“It did in parts but you’ve got to be able to handle the big stage and the pressure and we just weren‘t quite able to do that tonight.
“I’m still very proud, the boys gave them everything they could, Noosa were just better than us.
“They played well, set up strong and we’re just too good.”
Player points rating:
3 - Luke Becconsall (Noosa)
2 - Cory Johnson (Noosa) and Isaac Metherell (Noosa)
1 - Tom Croft (Kawana)
Senior Women: Maroochydore vs Noosa
There wasn’t too much that grabbed the crowd's attention in the opening 10 minutes with both sides in no real rush to settle into their game.
That was until Maroochydore midfielder Amelia Murphy decided to throw her right boot behind the ball when it landed at her feet following a Noosa clearance.
The ball was hit well and landed in an awkward spot for Noosa goalkeeper Jasmyn Gralton as the ball bounced off her knees and into the back of the net.
That early 1-0 lead seemed to help the Swans open the door for the opening 25 minutes with Noosa barely able to get the ball into their final third.
Competition star striker Ruby Postan was able to get the ball in an okay area for the Swans as she tried to place the ball into the bottom right corner but was turned away by Gralton.
Field possession and control of the ball remained the talking point in the opening 45 with Maroochydore restricting the Noosa attack to limited space and opportunities.
The second half began with a similar play style from both teams except this time it was Noosa who were able to grapple with a healthy share of possession.
Neither side were able to create beneficial chances but a corner kick from Noosa was cleared off the line from the Maroochydore defence which launched them into a brilliant counter attack.
The ball bounced around off a few players before Swans striker Gabby Postan found some open space, dribbling the ball into the box before striking it well.
Noosa defender Paige Cardew stuck out her foot to clear the ball but unfortunately deflected it past her own keeper and into the back of the net.
The match wasn’t out of reach just yet for the Lions with Tahla Hammond earning a spot kick which saw Cairisjana Mitchell step up and put her side on the scoreboard.
Swans goalkeeper Carissa Pershouse guaranteed her side the lead at the 83 minute mark saving a crucial chance before Gabby Postan looked dangerous again on the counter attack.
Some good defensive skills from Finley Bone meant the chance went begging with just under five minutes remaining.
Both sides injected a surge of energy into the crowd for the final few minutes but Maroochydore proved too strong as the referee called time on the match, Swans victorious 2-1.
Swans captain Danae Pryce said the final minutes of the match were draining.
“It was nervous but we’ve been in that situation before and knew we just had to keep pushing and playing our own game,” she said.
“Then we just parked the bus in the final five minutes which paid off.”
She said she was thankful to be surrounded by her teammates and coaching staff.
“It’s been a great team effort all season,” she said.
“I think Noosa and everyone else that has put in have deserved it but to be here in the grand final, I think the best team wins on the day and we put forward a good performance.”
Head coach Gareth Simmonds said he went through a rollercoaster of emotions all game.
“Going in at halftime with the lead was nice but we knew we couldn’t stop what we were doing.
“We knew Noosa were tough, they were never going to give up and have a number of good players so when we got the second it was a bit of a relief but then that final 20 minutes was extremely nerve racking.
“The match is finished now but the heart is still going and I definitely didn’t breathe much or really enjoy that second half too much because of how tense it was.
“Overall the girls are just a tremendous bunch, they’ve trained hard all year, had their ups and downs but fully deserve that result today,” he said.
Player points rating:
3 - Gabby Postan (Maroochydore)
2 - Carissa Pershouse (Maroochydore)
1 - Tahla Hammond (Noosa)
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