Words: Staff Writers
Image: Albert Perez

PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland will be without its all-time leading goal scorer in 2017 following confirmation veteran Royce Brownlie will move to community football next season.

The 36-year-old striker has been a constant presence for Moreton Bay United over the past four seasons – amassing a competition best 72 goals and leading the club to their maiden Premiership and Championship titles in 2015.

Next season he will ply his trade with Jets catchment club Albany Creek Excelsior in Football Brisbane’s Flight Centre Premier League competition.

Prior to joining Jets for the 2013 season, Brownlie proved the scourge of defenders in the national top tier in the former National Soccer League and the Hyundai A-League and also enjoyed stints in the United Kingdom.

Brownlie said the time was right to embark on the next stage of his career.

“It's come to a time where I'm not getting any younger and it’s time to put back in to ACE where we have kids coming through,” said Brownlie, who won the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland 2014 Golden Boot with a competition record 34 goals.

Brownlie explained the demands of playing in the national second tier for another season would prove too much with his work and family commitments.

“It was a tough decision, knowing when to make the move, to make the right decision, but I consulted my family about what should I do. They made it easy for me.”

Jets Technical Director Adam Piddick, who joined Jets coaching ranks two seasons ago, said he was grateful for Brownlie’s contributions on and off the pitch.

"Over the last two seasons Royce brought a lot of experience to the club and to the team," Piddick said.

"He played a significant role within the playing group, with the way he led the side on the field and with the way he spoke to individuals behind the scenes."

Excelsior coach Pouria Nabi elieves Brownlie’s experience will provide additional guidance for his squad of aspiring talents to develop into future PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues players.

“The great thing about Royce joining ACE is we have two really good young strikers, Riley Campbell and Chomba Arop and both need a player like Royce to mentor them, pass on what he has learned over the last 15-16 years,” Nabi said.

“If he can do that these boys can improve and make the next step up in their football careers - that’s the NPL.”

Brownlie’s winning mentality will not be dulled by the move to the third tier, saying he hopes to bring success to Excelsior and remaining confident he can rapidly transition to its different style of football.

“ACE wants to grow and win a championship and hopefully I can help deliver that,” he said. 

“The BPL is a fast-paced game. More of a battlers’ game. To be honest it may help me a bit. It’s not about being lightning quick. It’s about football, battling, getting stuck in, doing your job and hopefully I can do that next year and provide some help for ACE.”