Alex Fiechtner: Goals, glory, and a dream reborn
- Adam Cattell
- Jun 15
- 4 min read
Thirty-four goals and counting have made Lions FC forward Alex Fiechtner one of the standout performers in NPL Queensland. The form has also revived ambitions he once thought had disappeared.
Not so long ago, Alex Fiechtner had accepted that a professional football career might never happen.
Injury and illness disrupted his 2025 campaign, while life away from football changed as well, with the Lions FC striker becoming a father for the first time.
“Before this season, I wasn't really thinking about it,” he told Front Page Football.
“It was sort of gone.”
With that in mind, fast-forward 12 months and the picture looks very different.
Fiechtner's tally stands at an astonishing 26 NPL Queensland goals in just 13 games and 34 in all competitions at the time of writing, making the 27-year-old one of the most prolific forwards in the country and reviving ambitions he had all but consigned to the past.
“It’s what every player wants to do, right? Play professional, and I haven’t ticked that box yet,” he admitted.
“I'm open to it, but it's not something I'm chasing. It would have to suit me and my family.”
Such has been Fiechtner's extraordinary form this season that his exploits have hardly gone unnoticed, with the Lions striker already recording three hat-tricks, including a five-goal haul in a single game, to establish a commanding lead in the NPL Queensland Golden Boot race.
Yet the marksman remains typically modest about his extraordinary form.
“I'm in one of those purple patches right now,” he said.
“I've just got to keep it going for as long as possible.”
So, what lies behind Fiechtner's extraordinary run of form?
According to the striker, no radical overhaul has been required.
Instead, he points to subtle changes introduced by new head coach Dan Barber and his staff, along with a more competitive environment within the Lions squad.
“It's reasonably similar, but there are some small tweaks and some personal touches that they've put on things that have definitely made a big difference,” he said.
“The make-up of the squad is a lot different, and we have a lot of younger players now.
“At Lions at the moment, everybody's got to earn their spot, and I had to do the same at the start of the season.
“I just focused on cementing my position and then I started to get some form.”
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Such has been Fiechtner's remarkable scoring rate that comparisons have inevitably been made with former Lions teammate Andy Pengelly's record-breaking 2019 campaign, when he netted 41 goals in a slightly larger NPL Queensland competition for Brisbane Strikers.
Yet the Lions FC striker insists individual milestones are not driving him.
“No, it's not really an incentive for me at all,” he said.
Fiechtner was quick to acknowledge Pengelly's achievement, adding: “He scored over 50 in all competitions that year, so that's pretty crazy.”
Away from football, Fiechtner works full-time in finance with HII Australia, supporting defence contracts.
The Nudgee College old boy began his footballing journey at Grange Thistle before making the move to Brisbane City as a junior. He would go on to join Lions in 2021.
A strong 2022 campaign earned the striker interest from interstate, with Fiechtner spending the following season in Victoria with Oakleigh Cannons before returning to Lions in 2024.
Looking back, he believes the experience played a key role in his development.
"I enjoyed my time there, and I believe it helped me develop certain aspects of my game that I would otherwise not have," he said.
"It's definitely a more physical competition and more difficult to get results.
"Now that I'm playing as a striker, I believe it was a really good experience for my development, and I have put into place many of the things I learned down there.
"I also met many great people and the passion for the game in Victoria is pretty cool as a player."
Now back in Queensland and balancing family life with a demanding full-time career, Fiechtner can also look forward to the upcoming draw for the Round of 32 in the Australia Cup.
Lions secured their passage with a 3-0 win away to Sunshine Coast Wanderers, with Fiechtner scoring his side's second goal to book a place in the final rounds.
Having missed previous opportunities to face A-League opposition through injury and circumstance, the prospect of testing himself against the country's best remains an enticing one.
“An A-League team at home would obviously be really fantastic for the club,” he said.
“But at the same time, we want to go as far as possible in the competition.”
There is plenty still to play for on the domestic front too.
Lions are currently embroiled in a fascinating battle with Peninsula Power for the NPL Queensland premiers title, with top spot carrying the added incentive of qualification for the Australian Championship, after Moreton City Excelsior edged them out last season.
For Fiechtner, the opportunity to represent Queensland on the national stage would be particularly rewarding.
“It's a big competition and we'd love to be there,” he said.
“I think it would be particularly great for our younger players to have that spotlight and showcase their ability.”
For now, Fiechtner's focus remains firmly on helping Lions continue their pursuit of silverware.
Yet after a season that has brought goals, renewed belief, and rekindled ambitions he once thought had disappeared, the story may be far from over.
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