Here's a link to video highlights of last weekends Silver Boot pre-season final between Strikers and Olympic. Happy viewing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q44QfudLYKc






Edited by gcu - brisbane branch: 28/2/2013 11:13:06 PM

One full page in the Courier Mail today. Still no talk about the Roar.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/football/former-socceroo-kasey-wehrman-takes-charge-of-new-queensland-team-western-pride-in-national-premier-leagues/story-fnddgn65-1226589118501

An opinion piece from Moore as well.

Any links?

In reply to Roar being in the NPL "In the future it is hoped that National Youth League teams will participate in the National Premier Leagues. However, at this stage, it is a work in progress and the situation will be assessed following our inaugural season."

Soooooooooooooooooooo I was right?

QAS is not a football club. Have heard that most of them play for Roar youth anyway.

Counting losses and gains

SUNSHINE Coast defender Sam Knight believes the Fire can remain a force despite the loss of several key players during the off-season.

The Fire won the Queensland State League grand final last year, but subsequently farewelled talisman Tyson Holmes, midfielders Deejay Firth, Koriak Upaiga and David and Cyril Muta.

It has also said goodbye to defenders Stephen Hindmarch and Kevin A'Herne Evans, as well as goalkeeper Dale Hill.

It is a notable list of absentees that may alarm the club's fans, but Knight is confident the Fire boasts enough depth in the ranks to fill the void.

"We've got new faces coming in who probably have just as much talent," he said.

"Obviously, Tyson was a big loss because he was just one of those players who was at that next level, so the likes of him and Shaun Blackman will be missed, but we've got Leon Dwyer joining us again this season and he's a quality player, so we look forward to the season with him and we've got Takanori Sato coming back as well."

Both Dwyer and Sato were pivotal players during the Fire's Queensland State League premiership-championship winning campaign in 2011.

Midfielder Dwyer linked with Kawana last season and defender Sato returned to Japan.

Knight expects some of the club's younger players who were groomed last season to be improved this time around in the newly-created National Premier League.

"I definitely think we can do as good a job (despite the loss of key players)," Knight said.

"We're hoping to be competitive and up amongst the top teams. I think it's important for our club to carry on and try and be as dominant in this competition as we were in the QSL."

In and out of the side last year, Knight hopes to secure a regular berth.

"It wasn't a consistent year for me so I'm looking to do better this year," the 24-year-old said. "I'll just play wherever the team needs me.

"Competition for a place in the backline is going to be tough, but that's what you want. It forces you every week to perform well in order to get one of the spots."

Among those pressing their claims at the back are captain Greig Henslee, foundation player Ryan Smith, import Paul Arnison, Sato, Knight and James Stinson, who is set to leave the side after six rounds.

The Fire's trial against Kawana has been cancelled. The NPL starts next weekend.

http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/counting-losses-and-gains/1776536/

QAS is not a football club. Have heard that most of them play for Roar youth anyway.

The football obviously isn't technically better than the A-League but it does look a lot faster and could well be more entertaining (much like how the Football League can be better to watch than the PL at times).

Far North Queensland FC v Northern Fury – Saturday, 9th March @ Barlow Park, 7:30PM



Saturday night sees the competitive return of the Townsville-based Northern Fury - the former A-League club travelling north for their first ever North Queensland derby against the Cairns-based Far North Queensland FC.

Gareth Edds, Fury’s Head Coach and a former player with the club in the A-League, spoke enthusiastically about Fury’s return, “It’s fantastic to have the club back. The players, support staff, the club as a whole and the community are all very excited.”

“I’m very honoured and pleased to be part of Fury again. I had a great experience playing for the club and coaching is something I am truly relishing.”

“There’s a great bunch of players with great attitudes and it’s a privilege to lead them forward and hopefully we can achieve some success.”

Edds was adamant that despite the nature of the derby, his side is looking beyond just this weekend.

“We’re looking at our players to develop as the season goes on but we’ll take each game as it comes.”

“It’s going to be a good local derby and it’s going to be a very competitive game on the park – we’re looking forward to the challenge.”

Edd's opposite number at Far North Queensland FC, Martin Docherty, is also eagerly anticipating Saturday night’s historic match-up, the club’s first competitive game under the FNQFC name.

“The derby adds a little bit of spice to an already great occasion. The rivalry between Townsville and Cairns is great and for this to be our first game, and to play at home, is even better.”

“It’s a very exciting time for Cairns and for football in general. There’s an opportunity for a lot of young players to experience this level of football – it’s really an opportunity too good to miss.”

However, Docherty is also keen that his side don’t get too far ahead of themselves: “We believe this is a building year for us, but within that we will certainly be competitive. We will play a style of football that we want to play, that we believe in, and we have the players to do that.”

“Admittedly, we have a young squad but we will be very competitive. Our mantra is that if the players are good enough then they are old enough.”

Docherty also holds no fears about the Barlow Park pitch’s ability to hold up under rain, “The ground drains very well. It may be heavy but it will be the same for both teams. It will be fine.”

http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-9385-0-0-0&sID=269940&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=22582275

Brisbane City v Olympic FC - Friday, 8th March @ Spencer Park, 8:30PM



The long-awaited first round of the National Premier Leagues starts in Queensland on Friday night with a blockbuster Brisbane derby between long-standing rivals Brisbane City and Olympic FC and Mark Boyd, Technical Director at Brisbane City, is adamant that the match will live up to expectations.

“I think everyone is excited about the start of the new league,” Boyd enthused, “The pitch looks superb and we’re ready to go.”

“Of course, it’s going to be a telling time for us. We have a very young squad at City, but with lack of experience comes a readiness and our players are very enthusiastic to get started.”

“You’re going to see a City side that progresses as the season does – we’re going to ease in to the season and it might take some settling in.”

But Boyd was adamant that the fixture against Olympic was the perfect way to start the campaign, “Both clubs have enormous histories and a good competitive spirit,” Boyd explained, “I think it’s an absolutely tremendous game to start the season with.”

Jim Bellas, Head Coach at Olympic FC, echoed the sentiment, “It’s always a big game for us up against City and the supporters from both clubs just go absolutely crazy for it.”

“But more than that, it’s a new competition and of course we want to do well in it. We really want to win the first game and get off to a good start.”

Senior level titles have proved elusive for Olympic in recent years, but Bellas is adamant his squad will not be simply making up the numbers in the NPL.

“Our players want to win silverware and I believe we have the depth in our squad to be there or thereabouts," Bellas said. "I’m pretty confident we can finish in the top four come season’s end.”

Bellas is also confident his side is adequately prepared if the weather didn’t brighten before Friday, “We’ve been training on our field in the wet. It’s my call if we train on it or not and it’s looking like the right call at the moment.”

http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-9385-0-0-0&sID=269940&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=22582273

Prefer this new Fury kit to the old one.

God yes.

Lime green was terrible.

-PB

Only to a Pom

I do like the new Fury kit. Simple but effective. Saying that, the Strikers kit is better in my opinion. ;)

And I read an interesting question on the Strikers forum tonight. Is there a finals series this season?? I can't find anything on the official NPL website to suggest there is. Or have I missed something entirely?

Senior Squad Finalised
Mar 06, 2013by Steve Pitman

The Brisbane Strikers have finalised the senior squad that will contest the first National Premier Leagues season for the club.
Head coach David Large added the last two players to his roster this week with the acquisition of fullbacks Alistair Quinn, who has returned to Queensland after a season with A-League club Western Sydney Wanderers, and former Millwall player Andy Callaghan, who had been trialling with the Strikers since mid-January. Call-ups from the club’s youth ranks have also been extended to winger Scot Coulson and defender Jesse McDonnell.
Nick Robinson (pictured), now in his third season with the club, will take over the captaincy left vacant by the departure of John Costello, while Jonti Richter has been made vice-captain.
The full squad is as follows:
1.   David Chambers (goalkeeper)
2.   Andy Callaghan
3.   Corey Hooper
4.   Clark Bradford
5.   Ben Harrison
6.   Alex Henderson
7.   Chay Hews
8.   Michael Angus
9.   Chris Roulston
10.   Nick Robinson (captain)
11.   Jonti Richter
12.   Greg King
13.   Josh De Nittis
14.   Josh McVey
15.   Ryan Cokell
16.   Josh Taylor
17.   Nathan Ryland
18.   Matt Thurtell
19.   Scot Coulson
21.   Jesse McDonnell
22.   Alistair Quinn
23.   Jack Boxell
Club News, NewsSteve Pitman
About the author
Media Liaison, Brisbane Strikers Mob: 0432 085 222

God yes.

Lime green was terrible.

-PB