GPS First XI football Players to Watch revealed ahead of round 1 on Saturday
GPS First XI football: Who will be the Players to Watch this season? Revealed here, along with the latest on an NPL football giant extending its links with Nudgee College.
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We’re just days away from tip-off to the new GPS football season and as some of the state’s most promising young talents hit the pitch, we have revealed the top players to watch.
Teams look to compete for a premiership, something Nudgee College has secured five times in the last 10 years.
And Nudgee College has received a boost to its program on the eve of the season, with Tottenham FC extending its partnership with the Global Football Development team.
More on that partnership below.
With this year’s competition set to start on Saturday, see the top 21 players to catch on the field.
Footnote: the www.couriermail.com.au will provide regular coverage on the competition each Monday
TOP TALENTS TO WATCH THIS GPS FOOTBALL SEASON
TOOWOOMBA GRAMMAR SCHOOL
Ben Anderson
Anderson has been a First XI regular since Year 10 and deservingly he will captain the side in 2023.
He is a highly versatile player who can play in numerous positions across the field.
His greatest asset — he leads by example.
Anderson is a tenacious, high energy footballer who possesses lightning fast speed on the break.
Aaron Picker
Picker is a stylish and accomplished practitioner who anticipates and reads the game better than anyone of his age.
The youngster is the picture of calm and considered on the ball and what he does best is bring others into the game with his surging runs from the back and sublime passing range.
Meanwhile, Nudgee College director of sport Jamie Pybus said Hotspur’s global football team would work alongside Nudgee College coaches, Nudgee players and players from the community.
“Our aim is to give our students the best possible opportunities to grow and be the best they can be both on and off the sports field,’’ Pybus said.
“As we build on the foundations of the past few years, we look forward to increasing opportunities for our students and coaches, both here in Australia and at Tottenham in London.”
The partnership program also benefits the wider Brisbane football community by regularly hosting free coaching clinics.
Since the partnership started in 2020, the Club’s Global Football Development team has engaged with 700 young players on the school football program, and an additional 250 players at weekly local grassroots sessions.
NUDGEE COLLEGE
Rylan Brownlie:
Rylan Brownlie is a tenacious striker who leads from the front in terms of his defensive pressure.
He is also the son of former professional striker Royce who enjoyed a decorated professional career.
The Brisbane Roar youth Academy player, who is still in Year 11, has just been selected in the Under 17 Joey’s Australian Squad.
Arthur De Lima:
De Lima is a year 11 central midfielder whose bread and butter is moving the ball forward under pressure.
He has just been selected in the Under 17 Joey’s Australian Squad, alongside his schoolmate Rylan Brownlie.
RELATED LINKS
GPS FOOTBALL 2022: ROUND 7 NUDGEE PREMIERSHIP
GPS FOOTBALL 2022: ROUND 6 TEAM OF THE WEEK
GPS FOOTBALL 2022: ROUND 4 TEAM OF THE WEEK
GPS FOOTBALL 2022: ROUND 3 TEAM OF THE WEEK
Ethan Rigby:
Rigby is a silky central midfielder and even better a real leader of the Nudgee 1st XI.
He showed glimpses of his ability in the few games he played last year and his pre-season form has been something to behold as we edge closer to the season.
IPSWICH GRAMMAR SCHOOL
Henry Blackledge
In his final year at Ipswich Grammar, this young goalkeeper will be looking to finish his school career with nothing short of a premiership.
Expect a clean sheet or two.
Lachy Buckman
As for this guy, expect more than just a goal or two.
A prolific goal scorer, Buckman will be hungry as ever to add to his tally in 2023.
Jack Pye
A defender, he burst onto the scene earlier this year. Pye will be eager to set the defensive tone for the First XI from the word go this Saturday.
THE SOUTHPORT SCHOOL
Chez bos
Bos is a hardworking striker who enjoys the physical contests with his opponents.
He is strong in the air and can finish goals with both his right and left foot.
Zen Pizzinat
Pizzinat is an attack-minded central midfield player with countless one-on-one tricks in his arsenal.
He will try to use his vision and passing range to bring other players into play.
This season, Pizzinat shares a captaincy role and as a leader, hopes to chip in with a few goals from the front.
Hugh Macleod
McLeod is a brave, determined and assured midfielder who enjoys breaking down the opposition while getting on the ball to make things happen as much as possible.
He will link the defence to attack and backs himself to shoot from long range using his trusted left foot.
BRISBANE BOYS COLLEGE
Evan Msonga
Msonga is calm and composed under pressure, just what the doctor ordered for this BBC team.
He is a controlled player who has the ability to spark a counter attack from the back.
Cielo Nicolosi
In the midfield, Nicolosi is a dogged and skilful ballplayer with the tendency to win challenges across the park.
Jack Harris
As a defensive midfielder, Harris will look to control the middle of the park.
When called upon, his defence will hold strong and his attacking prowess will make BBC a threat.
CHURCHIE
Lucas Herrington
The towering Brisbane Roar Academy centre back is dominant in the air, organises the defence well and loves to play the ball out from the back two.
He is an intelligent footballer who reads the game well, leaving no questions as to why he has such a presence on and off the field. He is a natural leader.
Luke O’Sullivan
From Easts football club, centre mid O’Sullivan has been honoured as captain for his team this year.
He is a technically gifted footballer with a high work rate all the while possessing a good long and short passing game.
ST JOSEPH’S GREGORY TERRACE
Edward Ince
Ince will be a key player for Terrace, the midfielder always looking to regain possession and progress the ball.
Comfortable and composed on the ball with a high work rate off the ball.
Luca Damianakis
A box to box midfielder who is good in transition and is positive when in possession.
He will set the tone with his work rate.
Zack Damianakis
The younger brother to Luca, Zack is a quick wide player who is always looking to make forward runs beyond the backline.
Last year, with limited First XI experience, the wing scored his team’s only goal against premiers Nudgee College.
In what was a 4-1 round seven loss, Damianakis caused more than a few issues for the Nudgee defence.
BRISBANE STATE HIGH
Roman Galanos
Galanos is entering his third year as a BSHS First XI player where he has demonstrated his brilliant leadership qualities both on and off the field throughout our pre-season phase.
He plays every game with his heart on his sleeve, and builds both the team’s tempo and drives intensity.
His teammates will be lucky to have him this year.
Reece Morgan
Morgan is a second year First XI player and possesses all the attributes to have a successful career in the game.
He is very confident on the ball and technically gifted.
Oh and don’t forget he has the ability to change a game at any given point.
BRISBANE GRAMMAR SCHOOL
coming soon
SEASON DRAW
round 1
Sat, 22 Apr BBC v BGS BBC
Sat, 22 Apr IGS v TSS IGS
Sat, 22 Apr BSHS v ACGS BSHS
Sat, 22 Apr TGS v GT TGS
Sat, 22 Apr NC v Bye
Round 2
Sat, 29 Apr IGS v NC IGS
Sat, 29 Apr ACGS v BGS ACGS
Sat, 29 Apr TSS v GT TSS
Sat, 29 Apr BSHS v TGS BSHS
Sat, 29 Apr BBC v Bye
Round 3
Sat, 6 May ACGS v BBC ACGS
Sat, 6 May GT v NC GT
Sat, 6 May BGS v TGS BGS
Sat, 6 May TSS v BSHS TSS
Sat, 6 May IGS v Bye
Round 4
Sat, 13 May GT v IGS GT
Sat, 13 May TGS v BBC TGS
Sat, 13 May NC v BSHS NC
Sat, 13 May BGS v TSS BGS
Sat, 13 May ACGS v Bye
Round 5
Sat, 20 May TGS v ACGS TGS
Sat, 20 May BSHS v IGS BSHS
Sat, 20 May BBC v TSS BBC
Sat, 20 May NC v BGS NC
Sat, 20 May GT v Bye
Round 6
Sat, 27 May BSHS v GT BSHS
Sat, 27 May TSS v ACGS TSS
Sat, 27 May IGS v BGS IGS
Sat, 27 May BBC v NC BBC
Sat, 27 May TGS v Bye
Round 7
Sat, 3 Jun TSS v TGS TSS
Sat, 3 Jun BGS v GT BGS
Sat, 3 Jun ACGS v NC ACGS
Sat, 3 Jun IGS v BBC IGS
Sat, 3 Jun BSHS v Bye
Round 8
Sat, 10 Jun BGS v BSHS BGS
Sat, 10 Jun NC v TGS NC
Sat, 10 Jun GT v BBC GT
Sat, 10 Jun ACGS v IGS ACGS
Sat, 10 Jun TSS v Bye
Round 9
Fri, 16 Jun NC v TSS NC
Fri, 16 Jun BBC v BSHS BBC
Fri, 16 Jun TGS v IGS TGS
Fri, 16 Jun GT v ACGS GT
Fri, 16 Jun BGS v Bye
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