Sunshine Coast football 2023 season preview

After the opening rounds of the Sunshine Coast football season, senior men’s and women’s head coaches have revealed their 2023 key players and promising youngsters to watch.

Sunshine Coast Football 2023 season preview.

The Sunshine Coast Men’s and Women’s football seasons have begun with a number of players already making their mark following the opening four rounds.

The Maroochydore Swans men's team is the only team not to feature in the FQPL3 competition after winning the division last season and gaining promotion into the FQPL2 competition.

During the Easter break the Daily caught up with each team’s head coach to find out their opening round takeaways, any revised 2023 season aims and which players they believe will be key to their team’s success.

All clubs and coaches were contacted before the time of publishing.

FQPL3 Men’s Competition

BEERWAH GLASSHOUSE UTD FQPL MEN

Head Coach: Darryl Hart

2022 Result: Wooden Spoon

Current Record: 3: 0-1-2

Season Takeaways: “We’re just starting to hit our straps now I think. We had a tough pre-season as we began rebuilding a completely new team but we’re all starting to gel together and our more recent results have shown we’re moving in the right direction.”

Season Aim: “We’d like not to be cellar dwellers and be a competitive mid-table side. That would be a good objective for us as our first season of our rebuild. That will hopefully put us in good stead so then we can move on and get into the playoffs for the following seasons.”

Beerwah-Glasshouse Utd players Declan Martin and Mitchell Hart.

Key Players: “I’ve got a new young lad that’s come from Caloundra in Declan Martin. He’s one to watch as he starts to grow into his role as a winger. He’s got great fitness and has a keen eye for goal. Mitchell Hart he’s really starting to develop and mature with the training from Jerrad Tyson in the academy that we’re running. He’s showing great signs and is a promising prospect.”

BUDERIM WANDERERS FQPL MEN

Head Coach: Wayne Short

2022 Result: N/A

Current Record: 2: 2-0-0

Season Takeaways: “We’re feeling connected, we’re very strong and all focused on one thing which is to win the league. Everyone’s quite happy with the guys around them, they’re fit and ready to go and other people are knocking on the door to join the team. I think we started off a bit slow but that was also expected given we’re a new team coming together. The two-week break doesn’t help but we’ve really shot off the mark after our loss in round one (match was abandoned) as we scored nine goals in our past two games.”

Buderim Wanderers football Club senior men's head coach, Wayne Short. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Season Aim: “The aim is to get a trophy, get some silverware and get promoted. Our main aim was to get a team together and develop an attractive style of play that brings eyeballs to our side which we’ve done.”

Buderim Wanderers stars Harry Bowen and Bakani Kombanie.

Key Players: “Players to watch from me would be Joshua Cook, Harry Bowen and Bakani Kombanie. I could list players all day but they are three out of a hat that have impressed me so far this season.”

CALOUNDRA FC FQPL MEN

Head Coach: Trent Kelly

2022 Result: Sixth

Current Record: 2: 2-0-0

Season Takeaways: “It’s my first year back at the club in about five years so we had a busy pre-season recruiting players and putting together a strong squad. The boys are obviously chasing trophies which Caloundra has been starved of for the past 30-odd years. A key was for us to build a squad that was going to be competitive and have good depth so that we can be there at the end. We’ve had our moments with lighting issues but the boys have stayed focused which is great and we’re still in the Australia Cup which is great for the club. Overall the boys are enjoying everything that’s being thrown at them so far.”

Season Aim: “We definitely have the side to do something this year. Everyone’s bought into what we’re trying to achieve in this competition to finish at the top and fight for promotion. We have to find that balance between the different competitions to make sure we don’t stumble or fall at the final hurdle. I won't be happy just winning a trophy with the prems if the U23s don’t end up in the finals as well as I think I haven't done my job then.”

Caloundra FC FQPL3 head coach Trent Kelly with Matt Holley.

Key Players: “I’d say Connor Cullen, he’s our goalkeeper who was with the Sunshine Coast Fire and Wanderers lately. He’s probably the best shot stopper I’ve seen on the Sunshine Coast and has saved us a lot in games so far. I’m happy he’s wearing a Caloundra jersey and not anyone else’s because even though I’ve got a really strong defence I’m pretty sure he won’t leak many goals this season. Another one would be Will Brown who was with the Sunshine Coast Wanderers last season. I watched him play a few years ago in the local competition and he scored some of the best goals I’ve ever seen on the Sunshine Coast. He’s our striker and I expect him to be towards the top of the golden boot chart this season. He’s got really quick feet and is just clinical with his finishing. Matt Holley would have to be one as well. He’s a really hard working bloke that is very versatile and can play a number of positions. He’s a good talker, works non-stop for 90 minutes and is a great addition to our squad.

COOLUM FC FQPL MEN

Head Coach: Col Murphy

2022 Result: Eighth

Current Record: 3: 2-0-1

Season Takeaways: “We’ve had a lot of injuries but we’ve got a great squad to work through those and as we come back after the Easter break we’ll be very close to full strength. That’ll be a nice bonus for us as we haven’t had that yet.”

Season Aim: “I think Buderim and Caloundra are the two favourites but I think it will be really tight this year. I think every team is capable of taking points from each other so if we can keep fit and put some good results together our aim is semi-finals. We’re a very young side with plenty of new players so we’ll take it one game at a time.”

Chris Bolton will play for Coolum FC in 2023.

Key Players: “First player would be Sunny Riseley, who has played NPL before and has good experience. He’s still only a young guy with a great motor so he’ll sit in the midfield for us and is a great kid. Chris Bolton who is a bit of a well-known character on the Sunshine Coast. He’s been injured but we’re looking forward to getting him back. The other would be Will Graham who’s still only 17 but has been at the club for a while. He’s another midfielder, in his second year of premier grade and is just getting better with each game.”

GYMPIE UNITED FQPL MEN

Head Coach: Chris Edmonds

2022 Result: Fifth

Current Record: 

Season Takeaways: “It’s been a difficult start to the season, we’ve been short of players which hurts. It’s our third season up in the Sunshine Coast region so we’re just trying to keep the development side of the club moving forward. It’s going to be a challenge but if we can get a good club ethos going we’ll be back to where we deserve to be.”

Season Aim: “Our U23s are playing some really good football and the aim is to continue that development of our younger players while also bringing them through the premier grade. We have very small pool of people to pull from as opposed to other clubs in the competition but our aim is to continuing to develop players for the future.”

Key Players: “We’ve got some good players this season, I think for us Jean-Luc McGee and Noah Albion would be the ones to watch.”

KAWANA FC FQPL MEN

Head Coach: Brad Lloyd

2022 Result: Second

Current Record: 4: 1-1-2

Season Takeaways: “I think it’s going to be a close competition. At this stage by all reports it will be close between third and ninth with Buderim and Caloundra as the two standouts. It makes it interesting to see how it all pans out.”

Season Aim: “We’re always aiming to play finals football, things are a bit different this year as we’ve lost quite a few players but that’s still the aim. We lost 10 players from our grand final squad last year with the majority of those players hanging up the boots or are taking some time off because of family which is understandable. A few players have changed clubs and gone onto bigger and better things which is good for them. Our U23s were outstanding last year so they now get the chance to step up and mix with the handful of players we retained.”

Key Players: “I think for us this year Tom Croft will be a player to look out for. He’s had an outstanding start to the season and was new to the club last year but has been mates with a few of the boys for a long time so he’s fit in quite well. He’s a class player and replaces our former number 10 DJ Firth which is a big job but he’s not too far away. In terms of young players I think Jack Miller would be one to keep an eye on. He’s just turned 18 but he’s got a very experienced head on his shoulders playing in the backline.”

NAMBOUR YANDINA UNITED FQPL MEN

Head Coach: Gary Grigg

2022 Result: Seventh

Current Record: 3: 2-0-1

Season Takeaways: “We started the season a little late with a few coaches pulling out but the boys have rallied together really well and there’s a great feeling around the club at the moment. We’ve had Kyle and Korey Nix here for the last couple of years and they’ve done a really good job leaving us in a good position where we are. I’d like to thank them and we push on from where we are now.”

Nambour-Yandina Utd players Will Day and Bryn Grigg.

Season Aim: “We started the season with very low expectations because we didn't know if we’d even field a team or not but in saying that we’ve got a team that we hope can be competitive. We’d love to be pushing to make the finals if we can, which is where we’re kind of sitting at the moment. We understand that there’s some really good sides so we hope to put up a fight against them and sneak some points in some of our other games.”

Key Players: “Our key players would be Will Day, who is an exciting young prospect that plays upfront. Bryn Grigg, he’s my son which is tough but he’s our centre back and is starting to find his feet in this division now. Michael Harth would be the other who used to play for NYU, has been away but returned now and looks quality.”

NOOSA LIONS FC FQPL MEN

Head Coach: Ben Amson

2022 Result: Fourth

Current Record: 4: 3-0-1

Season Takeaways: “The boys are all positive so far, we feel like we should’ve taken four wins from four games but it wasn’t meant to be and credit to NYU who took it to us. Other than that we’re just waiting to see how other teams shape up and who takes points from each other. We’ve got a few new recruits such as Corey Johnson back from Olympic FC which is a massive inclusion for us, Sammy Nickolls back from the Wanderers who again is another massive boost. We’ve held on to a handful of our core players from previous years too which is good.”

Season Aim: “Unfortunately we’ve already missed the first aim of going undefeated but the aim is to win it all and gain promotion.”

Noosa Lions 2023 FQPL3 senior players.

Key Players: “Jarryd Johnson is obviously a big one for us, he was tied with Michael Holden (Maroochydore) and Ryan Delahunty (Kawana) last year for the golden boot so he’d be up there on plenty of people’s lists. Another would be Jarvis Bennell who’s only young and probably could’ve gone into prems a couple of years ago so I’m really looking forward to him stepping up and grabbing hold of it. He’s a cracking young player with a cracking throw-in.”

WOOMBYE SNAKES FQPL MEN

Head Coach: Matt Park

2022 Result: Third

Current Record: 2: 1-0-1

FQPL2 Men’s Competition

MAROOCHYDORE SWANS FQPL MEN

Head Coach: Warren Crickmore

2022 Result: Premiers

Current Record: 4: 1-1-4

Season Takeaways: “It’s a step up to move up into another league. There’s no easy games and I think that’s the way that everyone is approaching it. We haven't started that well, which we know but we’ve just got to keep our heads down and keep working hard.”

Maroochydore Swans will compete in the FQPL2 competition after gaining promotion last season.

Season Aim: “We’ve bought in a few players but also lost some so it’s a bit of a mix of new and old. We turned over a few of the older players who just weren’t up for it this year but gained some good players as well. We don’t really have anything set to be honest. The aim would just to be able to perform reasonably and to try and keep our heads above water to stay in the league.”

FQPL3 Women’s Competition

WOOMBYE SNAKES FQPL WOMEN

Head Coach: Jordan Nisbet

2022 Result: Third

Current Record: 4: 4-0-0

Season Takeaways: “So far so good for our season start. We haven't lost and the girls are enjoying playing and enjoying being a part of the culture.”

Season Aim: “Top two is a big aim for us, last year we were minor premiers so hoping for the same again and then kicking on to the grand final.”

Woombye Snakes 2023 FQPL3 women's team.

Key Players: “Georgia Dixson, she got golden boot last season so is looking to improve again this year. Sammie Grady is a centre back we picked up at the start of the season and has been an amazing signing for us. She’s an absolute rock at the back and has great communication skills. Then our goalkeeper we picked up Tara Taylor, she’s played at Woombye before but had a few years off before deciding to put the gloves on again. In the first four games it looks like she hasn’t had any years off, she’s class in goal and has saved us a few times.”

MAROOCHYDORE SWANS FQPL WOMEN

Head Coach: Gareth Simmonds

2022 Result: Premiers

Current Record: 4: 4-0-0

Season Takeaways: “We had a few new players come in this season which has seemed to strengthen us even more really as we’re playing really well. The break probably came at the wrong time but everyone’s really excited to get back into it.”

Season Aim: “We’re definitely aiming to come first in the league and then win the grand final. We have the squad capable of that so as long as we can steer clear of any major injuries we should be up there near the top come the end of the season.”

Key Players: “I’d say Gabby Postan, she’s one of our strikers who’s just electric. She’s fast, strong and has a great eye for goal. Lara Carrington in the midfield would be another. She’s new to us this season after a couple of years off but has been excellent in the middle as she never stops running and is never afraid of a battle.”

BEERWAH GLASSHOUSE UTD FQPL WOMEN

Head Coach: Amy Higgins

2022 Result: Sixth

Current Record: 4: 2-1-1

Season Takeaways: “We’ve had a good start to the season and the pre-season. There’s a couple of niggling injuries as always but we’ve got a good versatile squad. The biggest standout for me has been the overall competitiveness of the competition. It’s a pretty even ball game this year which makes things interesting.”

Season Aim: “Top four, hopefully top one. We’re looking at a rebuild this year after we lost a few players last season but using this season as a bit of a stepping stone for future seasons.”

Beerwah Glasshouse FQPL3 women's players Melissa Weckert and Jessica Grasso.

Key Players: “Melissa Weckert was out last year with injuries so she’s back and is always good to watch. She’s an absolute playmaker and there’s a lot of times she pulls something out of the bag that gets us over the line. A new player we’ve got is Teyana Bielby from Peninsula Power. She can play in the midfield or out wide and is just an absolute workhorse. She’s already shown in the opening games what she’ll bring to the team. A player that often gets overlooked is Jessica Grasso, our sweeping centre back. She’s our captain this year and she just doesn’t stop moving or talking all game.”

SUNSHINE COAST FIRE FC FQPL WOMEN

Head Coach: Trent Jepsen

2022 Result: Second

Current Record: 3: 1-1-1

Season Takeaways: “It’s another competitive competition which is good to see, we’ve retained a lot of the players from previous years but also gained some new ones which is exciting. They’ve all gelled really quickly which is great and it’s all starting to come together on the field. We’ve had a few injuries early on which isn’t ideal but we’re travelling well overall.”

Season Aim: “Same as everyone you look for top four, that’s ours again and hopefully we can get to the grand final for the third year in a row.”

Sunshine Coast Fire and Kawana Waters State College star, Abbie Lutton. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Key Players: “Young players on the team that have had 12 months of experience in senior football are usually ones that improve. Abbie Lutton who’s only 14 but is a true rising star and she’s in the starting line-up. She’s a player to definitely look at and will be a future Matilda if she continues on this trajectory. She’s the perfect number six with good delivery of the ball off both feet, good vision and not afraid to chip it over or get in strong with the bigger girls. Other than that we’ve got the usual stars in Olivia Latimer who finds the back of the net all the time, Chrissy Wagner our captain leads by example, Leila Costello at the back and Natalia Verkade on the wing both have some good maturity this season.”

NAMBOUR YANDINA UNITED FQPL WOMEN

Head Coach: Lachie O’Keefe

2022 Result: Wooden Spoon

Current Record: 3: 1-0-2

Season Takeaways: “We’ve got a really good playing atmosphere and vibe among the squad this season. We’ve been playing some really controlled and clean football which has been nice to see. We managed to hang on to majority of the team last year after a tough season but also had some girls return to the club.”

Season Aim: “We want to do better than last year as the team finished last. Anything better than that would be a good positive and a good rebuilding start.”

Nambour-Yandina women's players Jasmine Evans and Sophie Cudlipp.

Key Players: “Our number 10 and centre mid Jasmine Evans is an unreal player and one of the best in the league I would say, especially in that role. Her vision, her touch on the ball and her awareness of where her teammates are at all times is awesome to watch. A player that’s returned to the club is Sophie Cudlipp on the wing. She brings great attacking prowess to our team and has a great set of skills, particularly her communication skills which keeps the team going.”

CALOUNDRA FC FQPL WOMEN

Head Coach: Nic Basile

2022 Result: Fourth

Current Record: 4: 1-0-3

Season Takeaways: “The general feeling is that the season is going to be one full of surprises. Anyone can beat anyone and if you don’t turn up, you can get taught a lesson.”

Season Aim: “Our aim is to be in the top four and play finals football. We have the team to achieve it, but only if we turn up. We have a team that has been together for a couple seasons and after just missing out on reaching the grand final we will be hoping to get there this time around.”

Key Players: “Key players for us would be Elif Albayrak, Casey Gilmore and Josie Ware. If we are to make finals, we need those three players to have a big impact as they are match winners.”

NOOSA LIONS FQPL WOMEN

Head Coach: Oli Williams

2022 Result: N/A

Current Record: 3: 0-0-3

Season Takeaways: “We’ve had a tough start as we’ve versed some of the better teams in the league but in the same sense it’s also been good for us. It’s a new team, a new coach in myself and our first year back in the premier women's division so we’re just all getting used to each other. We’ve got a great bunch of girls with a good mix of young and old players. I think we’ve actually done quite well so far, on the ladder it doesn’t show it but I think soon enough we will start showing our quality.”

Noosa Lions senior women's players Jackie and Jess Doyle and Kayla Perry.

Season Aim: “Top four. That’s our goal, we’re only three games in at the moment but I think we’ll be good enough. We all agreed that we had a good enough team to finish within the top four. I think lots of people are putting us as one of the bottom teams but I think they’ll be surprised once we get going to be honest. We’ve obviously got to start winning games before I start saying too much but I think we’ll come good.”

Key Players: “We’ve got both the Doyle sisters Jackie and Jess. They’ve both come from Woombye where they won the minor premiership last year and are both just unreal players. CJ Mitchell is another, she plays in the midfield and is one of the senior players which is really helpful. Kayla Perry is our centre back after previously playing for the Sunshine Coast Fire. She's another standout and is very energetic which is good.”

GYMPIE UNITED FC FQPL WOMEN

Head Coach: Joel Albion

2022 Result: Fifth

Current Record: 3: 0-0-3

Season Takeaways: “The feeling among the women's squad is that we’re a work in progress after losing nine prems players from last year. We’re basically a whole new team with the average age of about 17 so we’re a team for the future.”

Mother Tanya and daughter Mia Albion playing together in the same team 2022.

Season Aim: “At the moment, I’m not entirely sure what to expect. We’ve been competitive in the first 60 or 70 minutes of each game and then we’ve just been blown off the park. Ultimately my goal as a coach this year is to get them playing quality football and growing their knowledge of the game.”

Key Players: “We’ve got some good up and coming young players, Jenna Williams is only quite young but has shown some good promise, Mia Albion is another young player on the rise and Lara Tinsley who’s again around 19 or 20 but one to keep an eye on this season and for the future.”

Originally published as Sunshine Coast football 2023 season preview