BRISBANE Strikers have been crowned 2026 FQPL1 Men’s Premiers after a 3-0 win over Redlands United at Perry Park on Sunday.
The result underlined Strikers’ dominant campaign, having lost just one league match all season, while ending the Red Devils’ recent strong run.
Redlands were under pressure early as Strikers controlled much of the first half and looked dangerous in attack.
Goalkeeper Richard Chaglasian produced several important saves to keep the contest level, while the visitors looked to hit back with pace on the counterattack.
Despite a sluggish start from the Red Devils, their defensive resilience ensured the scores remained locked at 0-0 at half-time.
Redlands emerged with greater intent after the break and created early chances with Chaglasian again helping to keep his side in the contest.
But the visitors struggled to retain possession when they won the ball, repeatedly handing it back in dangerous areas.
Strikers eventually made that pressure count, scoring three goals in 13 minutes to seal the premiership-clinching victory.
Redlands coach Graham Fyfe said his side had fallen well below its usual standard.
“I’m really gutted because we were way off it today,” Fyfe said.
“That wasn’t a Redlands team that had been doing so well recently.
“It was just poor, really, from start to finish.
“I thought at half-time we tried to address a couple of things, but we actually never got even; we got worse on what we were trying to do.
“We just couldn’t play the way Redlands normally play.”
Fyfe paid tribute to the new premiers, saying Strikers had deserved the title.
“All credit to Strikers. They deserve to win the league. One hundred per cent buzzing for them,” he said.
“They’ve got good staff, good club, and they were just better in every moment today.
“We couldn’t keep the pass once we won it.
“That was the big aspect of the game, and that just didn’t help us at all to get into the flow of the game.”
The Red Devils will now turn their attention to finishing the season strongly at home next week.
“We just have to lick our wounds and move on and try and finish the season really, really well at home next week, because the boys and our fans deserve that,” Fyfe said.
