Words: Staff Writers
Image: Albert Perez/Football Queensland

Three of last season’s Premiership-Championship winning Moreton Bay United side will not return for the PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland 2016 campaign.

Central defender Alex Henderson and fullbacks Matthew Zappone and Ryota Nakaoka (pictured) are all heading overseas in significant blow to the Jets defensive stocks for 2016.

Henderson, who opened the scoring for Jets in their maiden Grand Final triumph over Brisbane Strikers in September, will take a break from the game after amassing 50 PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland appearances in the past three campaigns with Jets and Strikers.

Nakooaka, who originally hails from Japan and notched 46 appearances for Jets in PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland in the past two seasons, will head to Europe after coming to the end of his visa and is looking to continue his career in Germany.

Zappone was part of the Jets squad in their inaugural season and contributed 47 appearances for the club.

Jets Technical Director Adam Piddick, who served as Senior Men's coach in 2015, paid tribute to the defensive trio's contributions to the Jets maiden title success in the recent campaign.

“I’ve known Alex for quite a while and played with him at Strikers. This was his best year by far. He’s very keen on his football and leaves big shoes to fill,”Piddick said.

“Matthew’s energy at full back, his work rate up and down the pitch and his attitude will take some replacing."

“Ryota did very well at full back last season, having not played there before. He was getting better and better and was the ultimate pro in everything he did,” he concluded.

The departures are the first confirmed squad changes for Jets for the 2016 season. However, club sources suggested announcements about returning players would be forthcoming before the end of the year.