Football Queensland Release 2020 Senior NPL Draw

Football Queensland earlier this week released the draw for the 2020 National Premier League senior competitions and before we look ahead to Capalaba FC's debut in the top flight state competition let's reflect on the journey to the top.

The path to the NPL started in 2018, when the Club was awarded a licence to compete in the second tier FQPL. After a solid, but more settling than spectacular debut season in 2018, the 2019 season was the time for the Bulldogs to make their mark and aim for a spot in the top football league in Queensland.

The 2019 season kicked off with matches against two of the pre-season favourites, Logan Lightning away and Sunshine Coast at home where some valuable lessons were learnt which would eventually be put into practice at the backend of the season.

A six game winning run thereafter, raised expectations for the Redlands Coast club and kept them at the top end of the table for the run home,

With finishing positions on the line in the penultimate round, the boys traveled up the Bruce Highway to the home ground of ladder leaders, Sunshine Coast. On an tense night, Capalaba prevailed and set up a mouth watering clash at home against fellow promotion hopefuls, Logan Lightning.

For Logan Lightning, the task was simple - earn at least one point and play NPL football in 2020.

For the Bulldogs, three points was what was needed to realise the dream of promotion.

A loss for either Club meant battling away in the FQPL for another season.

John Fredericks Park has been flooded plenty of time in the club's near on fifty year history, however on the first Saturday evening in August 2019 this time it was flooded with football fans. With a record crowd too large to count and an electric atmosphere to match, people found every vantage point accessible to soak up what was about to take place.

Fan favourite, Ryo Ono stepped up and scored two decisive goals in what was an inspired team performance and gave Capalaba a passage to promotion. In scenes never witnessed in the history of the club, emotions flowed freely from players, coaches and supporters that night and well into the next morning, Capalaba had overcome the odds and won through. Their place in the NPL was secured!

In the top flight for 2020, there is the opportunity to resume old rivalries, make new ones and compete against the very best in the State. The quality of the opposition will test the boys from Capalaba - the likes of 2019 FFA Cup Semi-finalists, Brisbane Strikers, stalwarts Olympic FC and Brisbane City FC and heavyweights, Lions FC and Gold Coast Knights are quality teams and will require a whole new level of effort and skill to ensure the Club remains where it belongs.

Now that the season’s draw has been released, we take a look at some of the upcoming early round matches which should pique the interest of our supporters and have them keen to get out and support the team and the Club against the cream of Brisbane football.

Round 1 - Eastern Suburbs (H)

The return of the Salvation Shield will be a welcome resumption of a friendly rivalry with fellow east side Clubs. Easts and Capalaba have a long bond of competition, as each club progressed through the various leagues to the top league.

Being one of a handful of clubs that are present in both men’s and women’s NPL, this clash will certainly bring a host of supporters keen to see both clubs play off against each other after a few years absence.

The aggregate winner of the men’s and women’s clashes will take home the Salvation Shield which was forged following the 2011 floods.

Round 3 - Redlands United (A)

Another mouth watering local derby against bitter rivals, Redlands United, should see Cleveland Showgrounds packed to the rafters and supporters from both teams eager to gain bragging rights over the other.

It has been over ten years since Capalaba and Redlands have faced off at a senior level and, in the interspersing years, a number of players and coaches have swapped colours and allegiances,

Capalaba supporters are vocal and passionate ones and we hope for nothing more than to drown out the Redlands supporters at their home and take the points.

Round 4 Sunshine Coast Wanderers (H)

Fellow promotion team, Sunshine Coast will be keen to turn the tables on the clubs last meeting and beat Capalaba at home. The Wanderers are building nicely as a Club and would love nothing better than to deny the Bulldogs 3 points at home.

Round 5 Lions FC (A)

Last years champions, Lions FC will host Capalaba for their round 5 encounter and will want to show the new boys who is the boss.

Can Capalaba rise to the occasion and put in a good show and make a statement of belonging or will Lions showcase their strength and pull the welcome mat from underneath the Bulldogs?

Round 6 Brisbane Strikers (H)

2019 FFA semi-finalists, Brisbane Strikers travel to the kennel for round 6,

Strikers have a strong history at the top end of football in this country and will be looking to assert some dominance. Whilst they don’t possess 2019’s record breaking goal scorer, Adam Pengelly, they will undoubtedly unearth some new talent to keep them at the top of the football tree.

Long time Strikers gaffer, David Large has moved to Capalalaba in the off-season to head up the football department, whilst protege, Owen Baker would no doubt love to get one over his previous boss,

This is just brief look at what lies ahead of the Bulldogs in the early stages of the competition as they work hard to consolidate a position in the NPL for future seasons. The Club, its players, its coaches and supporters are under no illusion as to the enormity of the task ahead, but are committed to working hard on and off the pitch to build a successful and sustainable future in the NPL.

So make sure you get out to the games, cheer on your team passionately, respectfully acknowledge the opposition and ensure 2020 is the year of the Bulldog.

Be Brave! Be Proud! Be a Bulldog!