One down, three to go for Premiers

Above: Moreton City Excelsior celebrate with the NPL Qld Premiers trophy on Saturday. Picture Ella Dingwall - @ellaa_media

Moreton City Excelsior will tomorrow bid for a second major trophy in eight days - and then two more, including one for Australia’s “highest-performing teams”.

Captain Declan Smith lifted the NPL Qld Premiership on Saturday after MCE beat Gold Coast United, with a third successive win and clean sheet, to secure the title by five points.

MCE, formed by the merger of Albany Creek Excelsior and Moreton Bay United, now face NPL runners-up Lions tomorrow in the Kappa Pro Series final at Perry Park (kick-off 2.15pm).

Attention then turns to the NPL Qld Finals where MCE host Easts, who finished fourth, in the play-off semi-finals on Saturday September 6, at South Pine Sports Complex, Brendale, 6pm.

The fourth leg of a remarkable season finale will see MCE represent Queensland at the inaugural Australian Championship, which starts on October 10.

MCE will be one of eight State NPL Premiers lining up with eight foundation clubs from the proposed National Second Tier, in four groups of four teams.

President Tony Dooley said there are a host of similarities between this season's Premiership and Moreton Bay United’s title in 2015.

Not least MBU/MCE finishing their 22-match seasons, a decade apart, with identical records - 47 points from 14 wins, 5 draws and 3 defeats. Goal difference in 2015 was +29, in 2025 +25.

“Both times we’ve had fledgling coaches - Adam Piddick (2105) and Cameron Millar (2025) - at the start of their senior coaching careers,” he said.

“Dave Harris (assistant coach) has also been part of both coaching teams … and our club’s philosophy has not changed in those 10 years.

“There’s a huge emphasis on juniors, our academy which is Gold Rated and top ranked, our brand of football ... and I think loyalty, which is undervalued at some clubs.

“Cameron (Millar) came up through ACE and MBU and Noel Blake is still here coaching (Under 15s this season) after 40 years!

"I think we have got the recipe right.”

MCE’s Under 23 and FQPL 2 teams are also in semi-finals while the Under 18s are in their final. Under 18s Carter Hammond and D’arcy Satharasinghe have also made senior debuts this year.

However, the biggest challenge awaits for MCE’s senior side with some this country’s most famous clubs gearing up for the inaugural Australian Championship.

MCE is in Group A with Broadmeadow Magic, South Melbourne and Sydney Olympic for the home-and-away stage. Fixtures:

October 12 – Broadmeadow Magic (a) kick-off noon

October 19 - South Melbourne (a) 3.30pm

October 25 - Sydney Olympic (h) 2pm

November 2 - Broadmeadow Magic (h) noon

November 8 - Sydney Olympic (a) noon

November 14 – South Melbourne (h) 6pm

The top two go into quarter-finals on November 22-23, then semi-finals (November 29) and the Final (December 6).

Football Australia Interim CEO Heather Garriock said it was “an historic moment for our game” with the championship delivering “a truly national competition”.

“The fixtures … reflect the passion and diversity of our football community, with matches taking place in some of the country’s most iconic venues and heartland grounds.

“Our vision is to create a competition that is dynamic, sustainable and inclusive, one that respects the traditions of our game while opening new pathways for the future.”