Edge Hill on hold for opener

THE defending FNQ Premier League champions will enjoy an extra week of pre-season after being handed the first bye of the condensed season.

Edge Hill United swept the treble in the men’s competition and won the grand final in the women’s Premier League last year, but FNQ Football’s new draw shows they won’t start their premiership defence until Round 2 of the competition.

In the men’s competition,

Mareeba United host Southside Comets, Marlin Coast roll out the welcome rug for Innisfail and Stratford will face Leichhardt in the opening round’s heavyweight contest.

Both Stratford and Leichhardt have recruited well leading into the new season, and the combatants, who went to penalties in last year’s elimination final, will both be led by new but well-credentialled coaches.

Rob Wales has returned to Stratford, while Stacey Fittock is back at the Lions, as they both gun to knock Edge Hill United off the top of the league.

The addition of Southside to the women’s competition has led to the introduction of the bye.

The fixtures are consistent with the men’s competition, except JCU Strikers will face Innisfail at Pennell Field.

Marlin Coast has entered two teams in the women’s reserves competition in lieu of a Premier League presence.

Games will kick off on Friday, July 10.

Meanwhile, Football Queensland CEO Robert Cavallucci and Football Queensland North general manager Declan Carnes will be in Cairns tomorrow for the first of two summits in North Queensland.