Top clubs, players and volunteers from across Queensland named

With teams and clubs jostling for supremacy across the Sunshine State, Football Queensland has named the top players and MiniRoos teams. Find out who cracked the list here.

Shelford Dais (left) battles with Jack Skinner of Lions FC. Picture: Lions FC

With the football seasons across the state firmly underway teams are now focused on asserting their dominance in their respective leagues.

Here’s our look at the mouth-watering clashes and key players ready for action this weekend.

Information in this column is provided by the Football Queensland Media Team.

Far North and Gulf

Round 11 of the FQPL Far North & Gulf season is upon us, and with sides drawing even on matches played after the washouts earlier in the season, the ladder is tightening up.

The headline act of the weekend’s action is a top of the table clash between reigning champions Leichhardt Lions and Redlynch Strikers.

Redlynch are flying at the moment, sitting on top of the table with five wins from their six matches with Amaliya Davies-Scherer and Georgia Strahan in the thick of the action scoring seven and six goal respectively, to sit second and third in the Golden Boot standings.

Leichhardt have had a perfect start to their title defence this season, sitting with four wins from four games after rain delayed their start to the season.

A win against the Strikers will only reinforce their position as the team to beat this season after looking commanding in their four victories thus far.

Fixtures

Men

Saturday, May 25

Innisfail United vs. Marlin Coast Rangers, Steve Corica Oval, 7pm

Leichhardt Lions vs. Redlynch Strikers, Leichhardt FC, 7pm

Southside Comets vs. Edge Hill Tigers, Walker Road, 7pm

Sunday, May 26

Mareeba United vs. Stratford Dolphins, Lindsay Australia Stadium, 5:00pm

Women:

Friday, May 24

Mareeba United vs. Stratford Dolphins, Lindsay Australia Stadium, 8:30pm

Leichhardt Lions vs. Redlynch Strikers, Jeff Pezzutti Park, 8:30pm

Southside Comets vs. Edge Hill Tigers, Walker Road, 8:30pm

Round 10 results

Men

Innisfail United 1 def by Edge Hill Tigers 2

Stratford Dolphins 2 def Redlynch Strikers 0

Marlin Coast Rangers 3 def by Leichhardt Lions 4

Southside Comets 0 def by Mareeba United 1

Women

Southside Comets 3 def Mareeba United 1

Innisfail United 0 def by Edge Hill United 12

Shelford Dais (left) battles with Jack Skinner of Lions FC. Picture: Lions FC

South Coast

Sitting six points clear at the top of the National Premier League (NPL) men’s ladder, Gold Coast Knights head into their weekend clash against fourth placed Wynnum Wolves looking to bounce back after a disappointing draw over the weekend.

Knights were held to a 1-1 draw against second placed Lions FC at Luxury Paints Stadium, uncharacteristically holding only 34 per cent of possession in the match.

Knights only shot on target came from the boot of wonderkid David Bolongi, who celebrated his first ever senior National Premier Leagues goal in acrobatic style.

While Knights will look at the match as potentially two points lost, they still hold a decent buffer over the rest of the competition and will look to put the result behind them.

Wynnum Wolves currently sit in fourth place, after getting off to a flying start in the first half of the season.

Wolves will be out for revenge after they were smashed 9-0 by Knights on the opening day of the season.

Since that opening day loss, Wolves have been one of the form sides of the competition.

Luke Cook fires off a pass for Southport.

Southport's Karl Southern brings the ball down.

FQPL 3 South Coast preview

While rain postponed fixtures in the women’s FQPL South Coast competition, we had four high quality matches proceed in the men over the weekend! With goals the theme of the weekend, look at the players who performed best for their teams, as voted by the coaches!

Men

Southport vs. Mugrave (5-2)

Southport: Corey Grierson, 3 Karl Southern, 2 Luke Cook, 1

Tweed vs. Palm Beach (3-2)

Tweed United: Facundo Soros Gazzanno, 3 Harris Mclean, 2 Zak Aspery, 1

Runaway Bay vs. Burleigh Heads (1-3)

Burleigh Heads: Beckham Casey, 3 Robbie Turner, 2 Liam Woods, 1

Surfers Paradise Apollo vs. Ormeau (8-2)

Surfers Paradise Apollo: Yu Hiota, 3 Will Hayes, 2 Jesse Zborovsky, 1

Ormeau: Gilles Dams Eelen, 3 Bryce Jones, 2 James Scott, 1

Whitsunday Coast

Magpies FC have advanced to the next round of the Kappa Queensland Cup after a successful trip to Rockhampton over the weekend to face Wide Bay qualifiers, Across the Waves.

The Magpies secured a 2-1 lead at halftime, courtesy of goals from Jack Taylor and Liam Shipton.

Early in the second half, Brandon Callaghan extended their lead with a goal in the 51st minute, but Across the Waves responded quickly with a goal just two minutes later.

The decisive matchwinning goal came in the 85th minute from Matt Wilson.

Magpies FC will now face Northern Conference winners, Southside Comets.

FQPL Whitsunday Coast Round 9 Results

Round 9 results and top performers from the weekend recognised by their coaches:

FQPL Women

Dolphins FC 13 – 1 Country United

Kylie Lopez-Duncan – 3

Olivia Garnett – 2

Juelz Chapman – 1

Magpies FC 0 – 4 Mackay Lions

Lauren Blank – 3

Katrine Sellar – 2

Teagan Coastes – 1

City Brothers 1 – 1 Mackay Wanderers

Sarah Stemm – 3

Thelma Ndhlovu – 2

Rebecca Kinsela – 1

Mackay Rangers 0 -11 Whitsunday United

Beth Thompson – 3

Jessy Connor – 2

Tameeka Casey – 1

FQPL Men

City Brothers 0 – 3 Whitsunday United

Jason Martin – 3

Bayley Sharp – 2

Phoenix Ridley – 1

Mackay Lions 3 – 1 Mackay Wanderers

Yianni Passaris – 3

Tyson McKie – 2

Bailey Dunbar – 1

Match of the Round

In the FQPL Women’s competition, City Brothers will host fourth-place Magpies FC on Friday night.

Magpies are eager to bounce back after a recent loss, while City Brothers, coming off a draw, aim to edge closer to the top four with a win.

In the FQPL Men’s, second-place Whitsunday United will face third-place Mackay Lions at home this Saturday night.

This crucial match has significant implications for both teams.

A win for Whitsunday United will solidify their second place standing and keep them within reach of the top spot, while a victory for Mackay Lions will propel them into second place on the ladder.

Fixtures

FQPL Women

Friday, May 24

City Brothers vs. Magpies FC, City Brothers Field, 8pm

Mackay Rangers vs. Dolphins FC, Eric Homan Park, 8pm

Mackay Lions vs. Country United, Lions Field, 8pm

Saturday, May 25

Whitsunday United vs. Mackay Wanderers, Whitsunday United Field 2, 6pm

FQPL Men

Saturday, 25 May 25

Whitsunday United vs. Mackay Lions, Whitsunday United Field 1, 7pm

Mackay Rangers vs. City Brothers, Eric Homan Park, 7pm

Country United U11 Orange team members (back from left) Riley Vaughan, Coach Glenn Borg, Josh Dawes, Jacob Robinson, Ashton Martin, Mason Loveday, Jaxon McGrath, Quinn Moore, Lachlan Dwyer, Assistant Manager Claire Loveday, Indie Fairley, Kyah-Perry Whitcher, Scarlett Harlow and Connor Borg. Absent from picture: Ashton Camilleri, Nate Beesley, Hudson Crane, Manager Samson Robinson

MiniRoos Team of the Week – Country United U11 Orange

This little champion team has been playing and being coached together for around four years, with some members for as long as seven years.

This results in a fun, friendly, and successful team all around.

The team’s goal this year is to have fun and be competitive, and they have remained undefeated so far.

“Some of my favourite moments watching them over the years are not the spectacular individual goals, but when the whole team works together to help each other score, especially those who don’t always have that opportunity week in, week out,” coach Glenn Borg said.

“They celebrate each other’s achievements and pride themselves on their sportsmanship.

“The culture the team has crafted is priceless, with proud parents on the sidelines.”

Sunshine Coast

Round 11 of the FQPL 3 Sunshine Coast is upon us, with a Noosa Lions double-header the pick of the bunch this weekend.

On the third Nathan Weckert Memorial Day, Noosa Lions will host the Buderim Wanderers men and reigning women’s premiers Beerwah Glasshouse at the Girraween Sports Complex in a hugely important day for all clubs involved.

The Lions find themselves on sitting atop the men’s ladder, three points clear of the Woombye Snakes with the second-best goal difference in the league.

Their opponents, Buderim Wanderers, find themselves in seventh place, having lost two of their last three matches, with games in hand over sides above them.

If the Wanderers can rediscover the form they started the season in, three wins in a row, they’ll take it right up to the Lions men.

Noosa Lions women returned to the winners list last weekend after drawing with Woombye Snakes and suffering a shock loss to Gympie United.

They take on the reigning premiers Beerwah Glasshouse who are yet to discover their scintillating form last year which saw them upset favourites Maroochydore FC for the title. With both teams boasting sharpshooters sitting high on the Golden Boot standings, this promises to be a hotly contested affair with plenty on the line.

Fixtures

Women

Friday, May 24

Nambour Yandina vs. Woombye Snakes, Yandina Sports Complex, 8:30pm

Gympie United vs. Maroochydore FC, One Mile Oval, 8:30pm

Saturday, May 25

Noosa Lions vs. Beerwah Glasshouse, Girraween Sports Complex, 5:00pm

Men

Saturday, May 25

Noosa Lions vs. Buderim Wanderers, Girraween Sports Complex, 5:00pm

Woombye Snakes vs. Kawana FC, Woombye Snakes FC, 6:00pm

Gympie United vs. Caloundra FC, One Mile Oval, 6:00pm

Nambour Yandina vs. Baringa FC, Yandina Sports Complex, 6:00pm

Coolum FC vs. Maroochydore FC, Coolum Sports Complex, 6:00pm

Round 10 results

Women

Nambour Yandina 0 def by Noosa Lions 8

Kawana FC 0 def by Maroochydore FC 4

Woombye Snakes 2 drew with Gympie United 2

Men

Caloundra FC 1 def Woombye Snakes 0

Beerwah Glasshouse 2 def by Nambour Yandina 5

Baringa FC 7 def Gympie United 3

Kawana FC 4 def Coolum FC 0

Maroochydore FC 0 def by Noosa Lions 3

MiniRoos Team of the Week – Caloundra FC U7

The U7 MiniRoos team at Caloundra Football Club enjoyed their first carnival together as a team at Noosa Lions FC at the weekend.

The sun was shining, and all the players were excited to run out on the field and showcase their new shirts, proudly sponsored by Little Mountain Chiropractic.

The team of five were thrilled to play and try their best, all while having fun.

Four games were played, and by the end of the carnival there were five tired but happy players, there were smiles all around.

Though most of the team are new to Caloundra FC, young players Jayden and Scarlet are returning from last season.

They are both thrilled to have new teammates to share the season ahead.

Training occurs each week, where the children practice a mix of football drills, and team development exercises.

Coach Mark ensures the afternoons are a healthy mix of football and fun; one of the favourite parts of the afternoon is his own version of “Coach Mark says …”

The team is guaranteed a fabulous afternoon, getting to know their new team while working on their football development.

Darling Downs

Neil E Robinson is the place to be this Sunday afternoon with the current FQPL 3 Darling Downs leaders West Wanderers taking on third placed St Albans in what is set to be a thrilling match for the competition.

Wanderers are coming off the back of a 2-0 loss to their closest league rivals last weekend, just their second of the year.

They remarkably sit even on points and goal difference with Rockville Rovers but are ahead on goals for, meaning a result this weekend is crucial.

St Albans on the other hand are hoping their 3-1 win last weekend against Warwick can spark a change in form.

Last year’s runners up sit five points behind the joint leaders, so a win would get them right back in the mix.

Scott Forknall was the star in last week’s win, bagging a brace, while Daniel Weber chipped in with the third.

The Under-23s fixture kicks off at 1pm before the main action starts at 3pm.

Dan Weber in acton for St Albans. Picture: DSL Photography

Scott Forknall in acton for St Albans. Picture: DSL Photography

Dominic Woodland in acton for St Albans. Picture: DSL Photography

Review

The Darling Downs FQPL competition rolls on, with some high scoring matches and surprise results around the grounds. Check out the 3-2-1’s as voted for by the coaches!

Men

Highfields FC vs. Gatton Redbacks (0-2)

Gatton Redbacks: Johnstill Irokalani, 3 Ian Nagle, 2 Harry Easton, 1

West Wanderers vs. Rockville Rovers (0-2)

West Wanderers: Jayden Richardson, 3 Ryan Knight, 2 Ada Ndayishimiye, 1

Rockville Rovers: Amar Jarullah, 3 Ameer Sulaiman, 2 Elliot Barber, 1

Warwick Wolves vs. St Albans (1-3)

Warwick Wolves: Liam Hackenberg, 3 Cory Wren, 2 Jordan Kendall, 1

St Albans: Scott Forknall, 3 Dominic Woodland, 2 Daniel Weber, 1

Women

Highfields Gold vs. Willowburn Black (0-2)

Highfields Gold: Seryah Phillips, 3 April Mammino, 2 Trinity Creamer, 1

Willowburn: Black Danielle Kena, 3 Tanieka Knowles, 2 Jacqueline Dresser, 1

Warwick Wolves vs. Highfields Green (0-3)

Warwick Wolves: Lucy Waldron, 3 Nikita Miller, 2 Georgia Sollars, 1

Highfields Green: Chloe O’Rourke, 3 Marlina-Rae Pern, 2 Hayley Warner, 1

Rockville Rovers vs. Willowburn White (Forfeit Loss – Forfeit Win)

Northern

In the FQPL Women’s competition, fourth-place Estates FC will host ladder leaders Brothers Townsville at Victoria Park on Saturday afternoon.

Brothers have shown their dominance this year, scoring three or more goals in each of their last three matches.

This match is crucial for Estates FC; while it will be a tough challenge, a win will keep them in contention for the top four.

In the FQPL Men’s competition, Estates FC will also host Brothers Townsville this Saturday night.

Estates have found some form this season, losing only once in their last five matches. Meanwhile, Brothers Townsville, coming off two consecutive draws, will be looking for a win to stay in the top four.

Fixtures

FQPL Women

Saturday, May 25

Estates FC vs. Brothers Townsville, Victoria Park, 5pm

Burdekin FC vs. Townsville Warriors, International Park, 5pm

FQPL Men

Saturday, May 25

Estates FC vs. Brothers Townsville, Victoria Park, 7pm

Saints Eagles Souths vs. MA Olympic, Aitkenvale Park, 7pm

Rebels FC vs. Riverway JCU, Greenwood Park, 7pm

Burdekin FC vs. Townsville Warriors, International Park, 7pm

Round 9 results

After Round 9 of the FQPL Northern men’s competition, MA Olympic FC remains undefeated this year following a closely contested match against Estates FC.

Saints Eagles South and Riverway JCU also secured comfortable wins, while Brothers Townsville and Burdekin FC ended in a draw.

Round 9 results and top performers from the weekend recognised by their coaches:

FQPL Men

MA Olympic FC 2 -1 Estates FC

Nickia Whaleboat – 3

Ashton Waddington – 2

Daniel O’Donovan – 1

Rebels FC 1 – 3 Saints Eagles Souths

Trent Grant – 3

Anthony Holmes – 2

David Payne – 1

Townsville Warriors 0 – 3 Riverway JCU

Mateo Campbell-Ruiz – 3

Heath Cipollino – 2

Mark Gadzikwa – 1

Brothers Townsville 1 – 1 Burdekin FC

Joshua Bowman – 3

Jordan Grady – 2

Ryan Rasmussen – 1

The Burdekin FC Saints U10/11 Girls team.

MiniRoos Team of the Week – Burdekin FC Saints U10/11 Girls

Most of these girls have been playing together since last year in the U9s, competing against boys in their local competition.

They held their own and improved as the year went on, participating in carnivals in Townsville and their local carnival.

This year, the team welcomed six new players and now has a girls’ team coming from Townsville each week to play against.

They’ve started the year strong, growing in confidence each week on the bigger field, with improved general play and positioning.

The team is a mix of girls who have been playing since U5s and those who just started this year.

Coach Brett spent most of last year tongue-tied trying to differentiate between twins Jayla and Kaylee, and Jayda.

This year, he has two Ediths to keep him on his toes.

The girls love using the whiteboard to form their own team combinations and to draw pictures of Coach Brett

Players: Peyton Butler, Edith Cross, Jossie Crothers, Asha Grasso, Jayla Heron, Kaylee Heron, Edith Innes, Quinn Jones, Hadley McDowell, Zola Oar, Ava Pappalardo, Amelia Roston, Kiamani Sutherland and Jayda Totorica.