Running a rule over PL
BROADBEACH UNITED
Captain: Leon Bell (defender)
2018: Second and grand final
Key Gain: N/A
Key Loss: Luke Marsh
Player to Watch: Justin Watmough
Coach Lee Vernon: “We’ve got a few players coming back from long-term injuries this year – Harry McMaster, Georges Pentecost, Andy Robinson, Jason Hunter and Lewis Scally. They’ll come back into the mix this season so they’re like new signings.”
BURLEIGH HEADS
2nd
Captain: Matt Hilton (forward)
2018 Finish: Third
Key Gain: Wade Russell
Key Loss: Kazuma Kobayashi
Player to Watch: Nikki Felizatto
Brent’s Prediction: Third
Coach Colin Phelan:
“I think we have more depth this season along with greater experience. We’re fortunate to have retained a lot of our 2018 team, which allows us to continue building on the momentum of last year.”
COOMERA
Mark Ingerson (defender)
2018 Finish: Sixth
Key Gain: Slayde Scriggins
Key Loss: Atillo Asante
Player to Watch: Payden Pemberton
“I think we have a stronger squad than last year, with a lot more depth. I’m confident we can cover injuries, suspensions, etc a lot better this year than last.”
MUDGEERABA
(forward)
Lucas 6th
Macpherson Tonight 8.30pm: Broadbeach United v Tweed United at Nikiforides Family Park
Tomorrow 4pm: Burleigh Heads v Palm Beach at Pizzey Park
Tomorrow 6pm: Surfers Paradise v Nerang at Lex Bell Oval
Sunday 4pm: Coomera v Mudgeeraba at Viney Park
2018 Finish: 10th
Key Gain: Lucas Macpherson
Key Loss: Cian Cuba
Player to Watch: Matt Hibbs
Brent’s Prediction: Eighth
Coach Jamie Boelen:
“With the players coming in and the experience I have signed in Lucas Chicco (goalkeeper), Lucas Macpherson and Matt Hibbs, I think we will hit our straps and knock a few of the big teams off. It’s a building process and hopefully by the second round we really step it up and start stringing wins together. It’s a rebuilding year and I think we will go from strength to strength.”
NERANG
Captain: Tolga Yorulmaz (midfielder)
2018 Finish: Fifth
Key Gain: Kazuma Kobayashi
Key Loss: Eric Leonard
Player to Watch: Acim Tomic
Brent’s Prediction: Fourth
Coach David Benigno:
“After the well-deserved rest and reset that I had in 2018, I can’t wait for Round 1. The new challenge at my new club will bring some exciting hit-outs with the young talent I have at Nerang.”
PALM BEACH
Captain: Jackson Boyd (goalkeeper) 2018 Finish: Seventh
Key Gain: Dan Smith
Key Loss: Jason Campbell
Player to Watch: Dan Smith
Brent’s Prediction: Fifth
Coach Brett Budwee:
“2019 will be a better season for my young squad as they now have a year of senior football experience and with the addition of a couple experienced players into key positions I believe it will make us more competitive this year.
SURFERS PARADISE
Captain: Bruno Rodriguez (midfielder)
2018 Finish: Fourth
Key Gain: Teddy Watson
Key Loss: Jung Lee
Player to Watch: Chris Broadfoot
Premiers
“I feel we have had good preparation. Tim Warren is looking sharp in goal and Teddy Watson should be a handful up front. Gomez and Zac Kallinkos have shown great pace and guile from wide positions. The pitch is looking awesome and new lights have made training much more enjoyable.”
TWEED UNITED
Captain: Michael Kolovos (forward)
2018 Finish: Ninth
Key Gain: Abdelhakim Ismail
Key Loss: Trad Thelwall
Player to Watch: Pedro Sorianos
Seventh
“We will definitely be in the hunt for a finals berth. That will be one our goals, as will playing a better quality of football for 2019. We want to enjoy our football.”