Courtesy of Yourbpl.com

26th February 2010

Each week the so-called experts of Yourbpl.com review the next round of matches in the Brisbane Premier League. Here are their latest attempts. 

FBPL Fri 26 Feb. 2010 8:30pm Beenleigh v Brisbane Wolves

For football lovers Round 2 offers the opportunity to sample Veto Premier League games on 3 consecutive days, starting at 8.30pm on Friday night. Beenleigh host their second consecutive home game having knocked off Taringa 3-1 in a game that was a perfect way to start 2010. Jujo Julardzija got two goals to start his claim for the BPL Golden Boot in a game where Beenleigh were more clinical against a Taringa team that held the ball for long periods.
Wolves travel to Chris Green bitterly disappointed to have fallen to Power in the opener. Captain Paul Mikula is expected to return and looks likely to play alongside Marcos Morales who looked impressive, on debut, at the heart of defence. Saif will be expecting another 2 additions to finally get their international clearance. Sasa Radulovic looked in great form putting in two second half crosses that should have been converted into goals

Verdict: Wolves


BPL Sat 27 Feb. 2010 5pm Capalaba v Brisbane City

Both teams surprised a lot of people in the opening round for different reasons. Last Saturday, Capalaba were expected to provide a challenge to Rochedale which they did for the opening half an hour until they were undone by 2 quick goals. After that the Bulldogs struggled as it became evident that the players still need time to adapt to new coach Tim Brown’s system. One big plus will be the return of Moses Petelo, who will likely spearhead the Doggies attack line after missing the Rochedale game through suspension.
City provided the result of the round in a clinical win over Olympic. The goals were spread around as City looked dangerous thanks to the forward-line of Alex Davani and Evan Papadopoulus. After taking the first half lead the counter-attack was applied with aplomb to maintain their advantage despite Olympic’s attempted resurgence. It was a great start for Jamie Lowndes as first team coach and one he’ll hope to build on with a tough trip east.
The Bulldogs home form was exceptional last season and City appear to be a team that on their day could be the best in the league, but consistency may be an issue.

Verdict: Capalaba


BPL Sat 27 Feb. 2010 7pm Mount Gravatt v Rochedale Rovers

Mount Gravatt starts their home campaign against Rochedale who will be buoyed by their win over Capalaba last weekend. It’s reported the Hawks could have conceded many more than the 2 they did in the loss to Easts. It’s unknown whether Rhys Hastings, who left the game last week through injury, will be fit to face his former team.
The Hawks defence will have to be at the top of its game to handle both the physical threat of Steve Unsworth and the attacking prowess of Hastings, Tabulo and Lovell. If that wasn’t bad enough, Terry Hughes will provide quality service from the midfield.

Verdict: Rochedale


BPL Sat 27 Feb. 2010 7pm Pine Rivers United v Eastern Suburbs

Alan Waller got his Pine Rivers career off to the best possible start with 3 points earned in a derby at Bunya last weekend. It was Domenic Hudak and Nathan Starr who got the goals for the Predators who erased the pre-season loss at Albany Creek from their memories.
Easts were wasteful against Mt Gravatt but claimed 3 points as expected with James Meyer and Rodrigo Joubert on the scoresheet. Both teams have aspirations of getting top 6 finishes and matches like this will go a long way to deciding whether that is possible.

Verdict: Draw


BPL Sat 27 Feb. 2010 7pm Redlands United v Pine Hills

It was a job well done for Redlands in week one as Graham Fyfe impressed in the Devils 2-1 at Wakerley Park. The tie looked a difficult one but Redlands kept working and took the spoils thanks to goals from former Wolves player Stephen Homer and QSL Golden Boot winner Russell Woodruffe.
Pine Hills managed to get players on the park, last week, but they were fitness doubts in the build up. How quickly coach Ashley Hempstead can get the players match fit will be vitally important. On their day the Pythons will be a match for anyone in the Veto Premier League.

Verdict: Redlands


BPL Sat 27 Feb. 2010 7pm Peninsula Power v Souths United

This is a rematch of the Silver Boot Semi-Final where favourites Power were derailed by South in part due to clinical finishes from the men in green and wastefulness in front of goal by Power. Power should be in a jubilant mood after the win at Carmichael Park which got the season off on the right foot. The difference maker in that game with Wolves was new addition Sam Young, who makes his Power home debut this Saturday. Young’s mazy run penetrated the Wolves defensive line allowing the young striker to hit a hard shot, which Andrew Ralph could only parry into the path of Shaun Feuerriegel who claimed the winning goal.
Souths lost their opening game conceding a winner in the last ten minutes to Russell Woodruffe and Redlands United. Souths have some quality around the park and right-back George Wani and 18-year old central defender Jackson Dixon-Best will have to be at the top of their game to cope with Power’s 3-man attacking line.

Verdict: Power


BPL Sun 28 Feb. 2010 4pm Taringa Rovers v Olympic

Both teams were very disappointed by the first round results; however Joe Fenech couldn’t fault his team after the 3-1 loss to Beenleigh. The games don’t get any easier with Rovers facing Olympic and Wolves in back-to-back weeks.
Olympic have tried using 3 at the back in pre-season but went with a back 4 against City choosing Kieran Ruddock to play alongside Mark Fisk instead of Blake Charity. The gamble appeared to backfire with Olympic reverting to a back 3 at half-time. The defensive frailties shown so far should be helped by Michael Turnbull’s addition to the squad, but as it stands any club will fancy themselves to score goals against the Red and Whites.
Matt Heath recaptured the form he’d shown early in his career at the Strikers in the BPL with a great cameo appearance off the bench. It will be interesting how wingers Costello, Heath, Hagell and Oar are all utilised.

Verdict: Olympic