Footballers set their sights on premiership glory across state
With finals fever striking the Sunshine State, here’s a look at the big games and star players you need to watch.
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Finals football is here with teams across the Sunshine State lacing up their boots in pursuit of premiership glory.
Here is Football Queensland’s look at the big match-ups, key players and their Teams of the Week.
Content in this story has been provided by Football Queensland.
Cairns
Macca’s FQPL Far North & Gulf Semi Finals Men
Semi Final 1: Edge Hill United vs. Mareeba United (7:30pm Saturday, 2 September | Tiger Park)
Semi Final 2: Leichhardt FC vs. Innisfail United (5:30pm Sunday, 3 September | Leichhardt FC)
The stage is set for our Macca’s FQPL Far North & Gulf Men Semi Finals!
Premiers Edge Hill United face second placed Mareeba United at Tiger Park on Saturday evening, while third placed Leichhardt FC host fourth placed Innisfail United in a Sunday afternoon twilight fixture.
The Edge Hill have been the dominant force in the league this season with a remarkable 20 wins from 21 matches, with their sole loss coming three weeks ago against their Semi Final opponents Mareeba.
Mareeba’s recent win at Tiger Park will surely play on Edge Hill’s mind and you can guarantee this will be a hotly contested affair with a place in the grand final up for grabs.
Leichhardt FC come into their Semi Final clash against Innisfail in a patch of down form, with two losses and a draw in their last three matches, including a 4-4 draw against their opponents Innisfail three weeks ago.
Innisfail have won back-to-back games since the draw against Leichhardt, with this shaping up as a must-watch clash with elimination from finals on the line.
Women
Semi Final 1: Leichhardt FC White vs. Edge Hill United (7pm Friday, 1 September | Jeff Pezzutti Park)
Semi Final 2: Southside Comets Halleys vs. Stratford Dolphins (7pm Friday, 1 September | Walker Road)
The Macca’s FQPL Far North & Gulf Women finals series kicks off this Friday night with Premiers Leichhardt FC White hosting Edge Hill United and Southside Comets Halleys facing late top four entrants Stratford Dolphins.
Leichhardt White have been the benchmark team all season, with their Semi Final opponents Edge Hill the only team to overcome the side.
In their two meetings this season, the sides played out a 2-2 draw before Edge Hill spoiled Leichhardt’s unbeaten season in their final match, coming away with a 2-1 win.
This clash promises to be one of the matches of the season and a potential Grand Final preview.
Comets Halleys and the Dolphins square off in the second Semi Final, with the Dolphins coming into the clash off the back of an eight-match unbeaten run to sneak into fourth place ahead of Redlynch Strikers.
Comets Halleys fought back from a disappointing start to the season, where they lost their first three matches, to only drop points on three more occasions during the season.
In their previous encounters this season, Stratford claimed victory 2-1 in their Round 2 clash, while the two sides played out a 0-0 draw in the final round of the season.
Head down to your local ground this weekend and catch all the action from what shapes as a dramatic weekend of Macca’s FQPL Far North & Gulf finals!
Referee of the Month Nominees
Congratulations to Archie Roberts, Peyton Bell and Gian Guglielmi on being nominated as Referee of the Month for August
Junior Team of the Week
Kuranda Rangers under-12 are our Team of the Week - congratulations to players Finnie Joy, James Titmarsh, Noah Macdonald, Isaac Fenner, Ari Ayres, Bella Kingston, Cara Hall-Matthews, Tao Masaki, Emmitt Newbury and Luca Jung.
Gold Coast
Match of the Week Men – NPL Men’s Semi Final – Gold Coast United vs Peninsula Power
The National Premier League Men’s finals series kicks off this Friday night as Gold Coast United Host Peninsula Power in the first match of the NPL Finals series.
After finishing 3rd in the regular season, Gold Coast United face off against 6th placed Peninsula Power for a date with either Gold Coast Knights or Moreton Bay United in the Preliminary Final.
Gold Coast United will be determined to put an end to their current slide in form which has seen them winless in their last five outings but know they will face a stern challenge in the form of Power.
The Redcliffe outfit have strung together an impressive 14-game unbeaten run to put their early season woes behind them and will enter Friday nights clash in a confident mood.
Will the early season Premiership favourites Gold Coast United be able to turn around their recent form to advance to the Preliminary final?
Make sure to head out to The Croation Sports Centre from 7:30pm on Friday evening to watch this one unfold!
Gold Coast United vs Peninsula Power Friday, 1 September 7:30pm kick off Croation Sports Centre, Carrara
Macca’s FQPL Women’s Semi Final Preview
The Macca’s FQPL 3 South Coast Women’s Semi Finals kick off next Monday evening as Gold Coast Knights face Magic United and Musgrave face Broadbeach United.
While Gold Coast United have been the dominant force in the league this season, Magic will be eager to pull off an upset and know that anything can happen in the Final’s series!
Musgrave’s strong season sees them host the second Semi Final against Broadbeach United. Both teams faced off against each other three times in the regular season, with Broadbeach winning once and Musgrave twice.
Will the favourites Gold Coast Knights book their place in the finals, or will Magic upset the applecart?
Make sure to head out to The Croation Sports Centre or Keith Hunt Park this coming Monday night at 7:00pm to catch these blockbuster fixtures!
Gold Coast Knights vs Magic United Monday, 3 September 7:00pm kick off Croation Sports Centre, Carrara
Musgrave vs Broadbeach Monday, 3 September 7:00pm kick off Keith Hunt Park, Labrador
Community Finals
Congratulations to Nerang Eagles Soccer Club Blue who are Champions of the South Coast Community Women’s Division 1 after their penalty shootout win last week!
There are a host of community Semi Final’s and Grand Finals occurring right across the region over the next few weeks, head to the Football Queensland Website to find out more.
Junior Team of the Week
The Nerang under 13s started their season off in the division 2 competition on the Gold Coast. With some of our first games came some stiff competition which we were able to overcome.
Overall, most of our players are the smallest in the under 13s competition but they are big in heart and will turn up for each other time and time again.
After our first 5 games we made a request to Football Queensland to move to Division 1 which was denied but in our next game we beat the team 7-0.
Football Queensland thought it would be our toughest game.
The next week I was informed we would be moved up into Division 1 which boys were extremely excited about.
The competition was bigger stronger and faster, but I keep encouraging that we will get better the first game lost the second game we drew.
Then the next game we won and week after week the div 2 boys from Nerang went from strength to strength and have been on a winning streak for the last 7 weeks, and which as of Tuesday night we are second on the ladder.
After our win Tuesday night, we moved to first place on the ladder we have 4 games to go to see who will win the under 13s div 1 competition. So far it’s been a great season for the boys from Nerang!
Young Matildas stars
Seven Queenslanders, including two Gold Coast based players have been called up to the five-day CommBank Junior Matildas camp in preparations for the upcoming Round 2 AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup Indonesia 2024 Qualifiers.
The camp is currently being held at Valentine Sports Park in Sydney, running to Friday 1st of September.
Congrats to Layla Adams of Gold Coast United and Shelby McMahon of Gold Coast Knights on their selection!
Mackay Whitsundays
Macca’s FQPL Whitsunday Coast Semi Finals
Semi Final 1: Macca’s FQPL Whitsunday Coast Men – Whitsunday United FC and Mackay Wanderers FC (7:00pm, Saturday 2 September | Mackay Football Park)
Mackay Wanderers FC and Whitsunday United FC will lock horns in the title deciding fixture on Tuesday, 29 August to determine the final standings of the 2023 ladder.
Nevertheless this weekend’s Semi Final will not disappoint as these two sides have been fierce competitors all season.
Semi Final 2: Macca’s FQPL Whitsunday Coast Men – Magpies FC vs. Mackay Lions FC (7:00pm, Saturday 2 September | Mackay Football Park)
Semi Finals football is here with this match critical for both sides if they want any chance of progressing to the Grand Final.
As the third and fourth placed teams on the ladder the equation is simple for these two sides – they must win to secure their spot in the Preliminary Final.
Magpies FC finished third this season with 36 points, 11 wins, three draws and four losses. Mackay Lions FC managed to stay in the top four by one point, finishing the season with 30 points, 10 wins and eight losses.
Anything can happen in knockout football and these two sides will bring their best to Mackay Football Park this weekend.
Semi Final 1: Macca’s FQPL Whitsunday Coast Women – Mackay Lions FC vs. Whitsunday United FC (4:30pm, Saturday 2 September | Mackay Football Park)
The first Macca’s QPL Whitsunday Coast Women Semi Final is a blockbuster clash between 2023 Premiership winning side Mackay Lions FC and second placed Whitsunday United FC.
Over the course of the season Mackay Lions had the edge over Whitsunday United defeating them once and drawing once which decided the title in the end.
Whitsunday United will have to maintain their attacking prowess as they take on the best defence in the league this season and were the only side to score against Lions in 2023.
Make sure you head down to Mackay Football Park to catch the action.
Semi Final 2: Macca’s FQPL Whitsunday Coast Women – Country United FC Orange vs. Mackay Lions FC (6:30pm, Tuesday 22 August | Lions Field)
While these two sides struggled to make an impact against the top two teams they enjoyed plenty of tough battles in 2023.
The record stands at one win apiece with the exact same scoreline in both of their meetings this season.
Magpies FC finished the season in third spot on 30 points with 10 wins and six losses, two points ahead of Country United FC Orange who had a record of nine wins, one draw and six losses.
With nothing separating these two sides this season football fans are sure to be entertained this weekend.
Junior Team of the Week
The Mackay Lions U11 Green team are examples of how to play football in great spirit and enjoyment.
Sunshine Coast
Macca’s FQPL 3 Sunshine Coast Semi Finals Men
Semi Final 1: Caloundra FC vs. Noosa Lions (7:00pm Saturday, 2 September | Meridan Sports Complex)
Semi Final 2: Woombye FC vs. Kawana FC (7:00pm Saturday, 2 September | Meridan Sports Complex)
The stage is set for the 2023 Macca’s FQPL 3 Sunshine Coast Men finals series, with Premiers Caloundra FC hosting the Noosa Lions while Woombye FC face Kawana FC in the elimination Semi Final.
Noosa Lions, who clinched their place in the double chance semi-final with a final round victory over Woombye FC, we feel confident facing Premiers Caloundra having defeated the Eagles 5-0 earlier in the season, before suffering a 2-1 loss in Round 16.
The Eagles will hope their league leading attack will be able to overcome the Lions league leading defence, also shared with the Eagles.
Woombye FC face Kawana FC in the elimination Semi Final, with both sides coming into this clash with differing form lines. Woombye finished the season losing three out of their last four matches, while Kawana won three of their last four, including a 5-1 victory over the Snakes.
Make sure to get down to Meridan Sports Complex to catch all the semi-final drama!
Women
Semi-final 1: Beerwah Glasshouse vs. Maroochydore FC (8:30pm Friday, 1 September | Kawana Sports Western Precinct)
Semi-final 2: Noosa Lions vs. Woombye FC (8:30pm Friday, 1 September | Kawana Sports Western Precinct)
The Macca’s FQPL 3 Sunshine Coast Women finals series kicks off this Friday night with an epic showdown between Premiers Beerwah Glasshouse and second place Maroochydore FC headlining the evening.
Beerwah Glasshouse and Maroochydore FC shared some thrilling matches during the season, with Maroochydore winning their first encounter 3-2, Beerwah the second 2-1, before the two sides played out a 0-0 draw in their most recent clash.
The Noosa Lions square off against Woombye FC in the knockout Semi Final, with the Lions getting the better of the Snakes throughout the season.
Noosa and Woombye drew 2-2 in their first meeting, before the Lions chalked up 2-1 and 1-0 victories over the Snakes.
Woombye will be feeling confident of overcoming the Lions after defeating Maroochydore in their last fixture.
Catch all the action at the Kawana Sports Western Precinct this Friday evening, with kick off for both games scheduled for 8:30pm.
Brisbane
The regular season for the National Premier League’s wrapped up over the weekend with some thrilling matches across the Men’s and Women’s competitions!
NPL Queensland Men’s Player Spotlight
In the round’s standout result, Brisbane City fired a warning shot to the rest of the competition heading into Finals as they defeated Gold Coast United 4-1.
Oliver Plusnin pulled the strings in midfield for City, completing 40 passes with an impressive 89% accuracy and creating 2 shot assists.
Braydon Doolan continued his fine recent form by scoring twice, while forward Ginjiro Chiba scored a delightful solo goal in an appearance that saw the Brisbane City number nine also create 1.35 expected assists.
Peninsula Power booked their spot in the Final’s with an impressive 3-1 win over Redlands with attacking midfielder Brenton Fox again pulling the strings, creating 4 deep completions and 3 key passes.
Olympic finished their disappointing season with an emphatic 6-1 win over Eastern Suburbs, Daniel Leck was the standout with 2 goals as well as a mammoth 89 completed passes at 88% accuracy, while fellow midfielders Lachlan Sayers was again influential as he also completed 74 passes at 90% accuracy.
Elsewhere Lions and Moreton Bay played out a 1-1 draw, Sunshine Coast Wanderers also finished their season with a 2-2 draw with the Brisbane Roar Youth, while Premiers Gold Coast Knights defeated Rochedale Rovers 2-1.
NPL Queensland Women’s Player Spotlight
With Finals football already locked heading into the final round of National Premier League Women’s action, teams had a chance to close the season on a high and take momentum into the Finals.
It was NPL Women’s match number 200 as Lions played Souths, with Tegan Riding highlighting the milestone with a fantastic hat trick. Riding’s three goal blitz takes her career tally to a remarkable 224 goals, yet again reminding everyone of her prodigious talent.
Gold Coast United will take vital momentum into the Finals after defeating third placed Peninsula Power 1-0.
Claudia Danckert scored and provided 4 shot assists in a top-drawer display, while stalwart Momo Hayashi was in typically dominant form at the back, winning 100% of her duels.
Emma Starr was the pick of the Eastern Suburbs side who comfortably defeated Capalaba 3-1, completing 50 passes, bagging a goal and assisting in a commanding display.
Louise Rolfe and Rebekah Horsey again showed their class as Sunshine Coast Wanderers defeated Olympic FC 3-0, with Rolfe yet again scoring and assisting in a top-drawer display.
Mitchelton and the FQ Academy QAS played out a 2-2 draw, with Tully Heatley standing out for the FQ Academy, while Mitchelton’s star forward Kallie Peurifoy scored and created 1.42xG in a typically influential display.
Darling Downs
Match of the Week Men – Macca’s FQPL 3 Darling Downs Grand Final – Willowburn FC vs St Albans
The ultimate showdown arrives on Saturday, September 2 as Willowburn and St Albans clash in a Grand Final that is the culmination of some epic regular season’s battles.
Throughout the journey to this moment, both teams have displayed unwavering dedication and effort, finishing in the two top positions on the ladder in regular season.
Willowburn FC solidified their Premier status with a defining victory against Highfields FC on the final day and will be looking to add another piece of silverware to cap a remarkable season.
For St Albans, the key to success hinges on sustaining their scoring momentum which saw them lead the competition for a majority of the season.
These two teams have played off four times this year, resulting in St Albans winning twice, sharing a draw, while Willowburn FC secured one win.
The grand stage is set to unfold at Clive Berghofer Stadium, kicking off at 7pm. Good Luck to both teams
Willowburn FC vs St Albans, Saturday 2 September 7:00pm kick off Clive Berghofer Stadium
Match of the Week Women – Macca’s FQPL3 Darling Downs Grand Finals – Willowburn White vs Highfields Gold
The hotly contested FQPL Darling Downs Women’s Grand Final is here.
Willowburn White take on Highfields Gold for the opportunity to lift the grand final trophy and be crowned Champions for 2023!
Willowburn White secured top spot with their impressive season, finishing with 15 wins and one loss.
With a powerful attacking force, they scored an impressive 110 goals throughout the season, with a resounding 7-0 win over USQ FC in the final round capping off a brilliant season so far.
Highfields Gold secured second place with 14 wins and two losses.
A resounding 4-1 win over Rockville Rovers Blue capped off their season and put them in good stead heading into the Finals.
With an impressive defence, they conceded a mere 8 goals throughout the regular season and will be looking to continue that impressive form against the leagues strongest attack!
5:00pm kick off Clive Berghofer Stadium
Team of the Week
The St Albans U8 team, predominantly first year players, showed growth in their skills and confidence throughout the season. This group of kids was delightful to coach, and the hope is for their continued progress in the future.
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