Finals heroes: The 45 stars you need to watch in FQPLDD finals
Finals heroes: The 45 stars male and female stars you need to watch in Football Queensland Darling Downs senior semi-finals.
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FOOTBALL: The Football Queensland Darling Downs season is set for a thrilling conclusion with the competition’s top teams lining up in the first round of finals this weekend.
Ahead of Saturday’s and Sunday’s semi-finals The Chronicle is shining a spotlight on the players that will be vital to their teams premiership hopes.
Some teams were unable to be contacted prior to deadline for the article.
FQPL 3 DD Women
Willowburn
Courtney Morris: The competition’s joint leading goalscorer averaged nearly 2.5 goals a game during the regular season – finding the back of the net 52 times in 21 games. Morris has pace, vision and a shot first mentality when given half a chance in front of goal.
Sophie Fuller: Despite being used ‘out of position’ at centre back this season – Fuller has been a standout for the Magpies. A combative no nonsense player who wins plenty of ball and can find teammates with a good pass.
Kyra Millis: A mid-season signing who has been a breath of fresh air for the squad. The experienced keeper is tough to beat and her presence at the back gives the whole team a shot of confidence.
Highfields Gold
Rahni Pritchard: A threat from anywhere on the park, Pritchard scored 28 goals in 18 regular season games. Has great control and an ability to create space for herself.
Shannon Tyrrell: Alongside Pritchard, Tyrrell has been a key part of Highfields attack this season. An experienced player who never switches off in a game.
Bridget Peden: Peden has been an integral part of Highfields rise to the top of the women’s competition in recent years. A coach’s dream thanks to her ability to play just about anywhere on the park and do a commendable job.
Rockville Rovers
Madison Lockwood: Since joining Rovers last season Lockwood has been unstoppable. Finished the regular season as the joint topscorer with 52 goals in 20 games taking her tally over the last two years to 111. Lockwood is a dangerous combination of pace and excellent ball control skills.
Dawn Holden: A calm, controlled player can always puts the team first. Holden’s experience is vital in big matches.
Sarah Sheridan: Another Rovers veteran with big game experience who constantly pressures opposition attackers.
Division 1 Women
USQ FC
Kayla Miller: The attacking midfielder is a great facilitator thanks to her all-round passing game. Miller, who scored 16 goals in 21 games this season, is also dangerous with the ball at her feet as her ‘big boot’ makes her a threat from anywhere on the field.
Caitlyn Stocker: Another silky smooth attacker who loves to have the ball at her feet. Stocker scored 18 goals in the regular including eight games in three games against her next opposition – West Wanderers.
Rachael Bartley: The heart and soul of the team. The skipper pulls the strings in the middle of the park playing the right passes at the right team and working hard.
West Wanderers
Debbie Dornauf: The centre midfielder plays with passion, never gives up on the ball and leaves everything on the field.
Chanea Edwards: Does her best work defensively in the middle of the field but is also a great attacker thanks to her great touch and footwork.
Mollie Hall: The centre back is a rock in defence, works hard and directs her teammates around the park.
Highfields
Katlin Peterson: The addition of the talented keeper midway through the season almost instantly transformed the side. Defensively the team are stronger and have a lot more confidence knowing they have one of the competition’s top shotstoppers.
Hayley Warner: The captain is the calming, experienced head the developmental Green side needs. A talented player who leaves nothing on the park.
Chloe Green: The 15-year-old defender is the perfect example of why Highfields introduced the Green developmental team this year. Given the opportunity to play senior football Green has gone from strength-to-strength this season and is a confident, consistent performer.
FQPL3 Darling Downs Men
Willowburn
Trent Ingleton: The combative and aggressive midfielder has spent a little bit of time on the sidelines through suspension but when he ‘toes the line’ he is one of the best in the business. The Magpies skipper is a box to box player with a massive engine who leads through example.
Chris Luscombe: After starting the season on the flanks Luscombe has formed an excellent partnership with Beau Partridge at centre back. Wins plenty of headers and reads the game well.
Amar Jarullah: Earned a spot in the top side after some electric performances early in the season. A sharp player who makes great runs into the box and knows how to finish.
Gatton
Alexander Edwards: Edwards is the only Redbacks player to reach double figures this season – scoring 16 of his side’s 39 goals to date. Gatton’s hopes sit heavily on his boot.
Alex Halstead: Gatton finished the regular season with a -7 goal difference but it could’ve been a lot worse. Halstead will need to be vocal in defence to make sure his side stays compact against a Willowburn side that can score from anywhere.
Kurt Neuendorf: Ever present in the middle of the park, Neuendorf never backs down from a challenge.
St Albans
Braydan Lobwein: The talented shotstopper is among the competition’s best glovemen. At their best St Albans score goals for fun but they’ve also conceded a fair few. Lobwein could be the difference in a game that is shaping up as a thriller.
Dan Weber: The speedy winger loves to take on defenders and has drawn plenty of fouls this season. His desire to drive into the penalty area makes him a tricky player to handle.
Riley Lobwein: Didn’t reach the heights he did last year but is still a major threat in attack. When he’s in form he is hard to handle.
West Wanderers
Ryan Knight: A commanding presence in the Wanderers defensive line – Knight will need to be at his best to contain the potent St Albans attack.
Tom Fowler: The captain is a constant presence in the midfield – shielding his defence and launching counter attacks.
Jok Ayii: Finished the regular season as the Golden Boot with 18 goals from 19 games. Uses his speed to great effect and loves to take on defenders.
U23 Men
Willowburn
Sakar Gurung: A technically gifted and sharp player who loves playing out wide. After a slow unsure start to the season Gurung has evolved and has found his best form at the perfect time in the season.
Kieran Antell: The skipper is a big game player – often producing his best on the biggest stages. Great with the ball at his feet and can pick out players with pinpoint passing
Kavin Raj: Cool under and rarely beaten at back, Raj is a great defenders who naturally guides the players in front of him around the park.
West Wanderers
Justin O’Connell: The centre back quietly goes about his work every game is consistent and cool under pressure.
Zac Vellacott: A confident and vocal pressure between the sticks, Vellacott loves getting off his line and is handy penalty stopper.
Flynn Brannelly: Locks down the midfield with ease – makes greats run when the opportunity presents itself but is also adept at holding the ball up.
Gatton
Xander Jackwitz: A box-to-box midfielder who works hard from the first whistle to the last.
James Samuelson: A physical and determined centre back who regularly pushes up field to involve himself in attacking raids.
Zantas Kabini: The former Soloman Islands international keeper has plenty of experience and is a calming influence in the backline.
Division 2 Men
Willowburn
Scott May: An experienced defender who can pick out a teammate anywhere on the field with the perfect pass.
Dan Shum: Plays with energy and passion from the first whistle to the last.
Jd Stoner: An imposing presence at centre, the skipper is rarely beaten in the air.
Dalby
Jimmy Collyer: The division’s golden boot is lightning often creating chances out of nothing. He has a great leap and determination to win the ball. Hitting form at the right time with three hat-tricks in his last three games.
Josh Allen: A two-way player in the middle of the park. Allen creates just as many chances as he stops. A good tackler and can score from distance.
Luke Drennen: The Tigers have speed to burn on the wings, with Drennen leading the line alongside Collyer. Has scored a number of match critical goals this season.
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