Five years after relegation, Brisbane Strikers are going back up

Brisbane Strikers are returning to NPL QLD after ending a five-year absence from the state's top flight.

Omoro Adoro and Kirito Higuchi scored outrageous goals as the Strikers defeated Sunshine Coast Wanderers 2-0 to secure promotion with four games remaining in the regular season.

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It marks a significant moment for one of Queensland football's most historic clubs, who were relegated from NPL QLD in 2021.

The road back has taken five years, but the Strikers have finally secured their return after an impressive 2026 campaign.

Spearheading the promotion charge has been club legend Matthew Thurtell.

The captain and Brisbane's all-time leading goalscorer has scored 13 times this season to lead the Golden Boot race, more than 15 years after making his senior debut for the club as a 17-year-old.

Thurtell has remained a central figure throughout the Strikers' journey back towards the top level of Queensland football, and now has another milestone to add to an extraordinary career with his boyhood club.

There is still work to do, with four regular-season matches remaining and more silverware to chase.

But the biggest objective has been achieved.

Five years after falling out of Queensland's top flight, Brisbane Strikers are going back up, alongside Broadbeach United.