Slim Hopes of Kappa Progression Remain Alive for Caboolture

James Lane

Caboolture Sports FC round out their Queensland Kappa Pro Series group campaign on Friday night with a home clash against Brisbane City. While progression remains mathematically possible, the reality is that the Snakes enter the final matchday needing a miracle elsewhere to keep the dream alive.

Saturday's draw in Bundaberg between Brisbane City and Moreton City Excelsior has at least kept the door ajar. Heading into the final round, Caboolture sit third on three points, with both Moreton and Brisbane City on four. A Caboolture victory would lift the Snakes to six points and leave Brisbane City stuck on three, but qualification would still hinge on Capalaba either defeating or drawing with Moreton City. Given Capalaba’s struggles throughout the group, and the sheer quality of Excelsior, that scenario remains highly unlikely, making Friday’s contest something of a long-shot exercise in hope rather than expectation.

Still, Caboolture come into the match with confidence high after last week’s emphatic 6-1 dismantling of Capalaba. That result not only extended their winning streak over the Bulldogs, but also repaired the damage done to goal difference after the heavy opening loss to Moreton. Momentum, at least, is firmly with the Snakes.

Brisbane City, however, present an imposing challenge. The NPL side are unbeaten in the group so far, having opened with a commanding 4-0 win over Capalaba before earning a 1-1 draw against Moreton City. They did, however, pick up red cards in each of their opening matches, highlighting a potential disciplinary issue that could leave them vulnerable.

From Caboolture’s perspective, defensive resilience will again be under the spotlight. The Snakes have not kept a clean sheet in 11 matches stretching back to June last season, suggesting that conceding is likely even on home soil. Against a Brisbane City side that has already shown its attacking threat in the group, Caboolture may need to turn the match into a shootout rather than a grind if an upset is to be achieved.

One of the more intriguing subplots surrounds Caboolture’s recent transfer business. The club has been aggressive in the offseason, making ten signings so far - all with NPL experience - as part of a looming push toward promotion in the upcoming FQPL1 season. Remarkably, six of those recruits are former Brisbane City players, adding an extra layer of intrigue to Friday night’s encounter. Several of those faces featured in Brisbane City’s final NPL match of the 2025 season, with Nathan Beagley starting in defence and both Ethan Docherty and Jack Waldock coming off the bench.

While the broader group mathematics means this match is unlikely to alter Caboolture’s ultimate fate in the competition, the occasion still carries significance. It’s a chance to test themselves against another NPL opponent, to measure progress, and to continue building belief after last week’s statement performance. Even if the odds are long, Friday night offers the Snakes one final opportunity to shake the group, and to keep the faintest hope alive just a little longer.

In other news around the club, another incoming transfer was confirmed, with the arrival of seasoned midfielder Jesse Rigby. This represents a remarkable continuation of the Snakes' distinctly Brisbane City-flavoured recruitment, as Rigby is yet another former Azzurri player. A former NPL champion, his other former clubs include Western Pride, Lions FC, Peninsula Power, and most recently the Sunshine Coast Wanderers. He started 17 matches for the Wanderers in last season, contributing a goal while recording a pass accuracy of 79% on average, and recovering the ball a little over 11 times per match.