Michael Thwaite grew up in Cairns. The Melbourne Victory defender tells The Socceroo magazine that the vast numbers of juniors in that part of the world is outstripping demand at senior level.

"I think the players from the north of the state can add something extra to the game," he said.

"A lot of the Brisbane players and even further south are probably technically better produced than the far north Queensland players.

"But I think the ruggedness of how we're brought up helps with our competitiveness. I think we [north Queenslanders] have a lot more of that."

Thwaite recounts his junior days to illustrate his point: "When we used to play southern teams for far north Queensland, we used to be the battlers, while the players from the south were prim and proper players and we were just out there to battle for 90 minutes.

"But now I think they're trying to change that which will benefit the far north Queensland team in the Hyundai A-League."

Innisfail-born Steve Corica says the humid conditions will give Ian Ferguson's NQFC a natural advantage in the A-League and in the ACL.

"There's a lot of young talent that doesn't get seen," said the Sydney FC star.

"I'm from Innisfail. I was quite lucky to get spotted but I'm sure now there are a lot of young boys who have the potential to be spotted for the Hyundai A-League.

"The North Queensland FC team will be looking all over from Cairns down to Townsville. It's three or fours hours away and I'm sure there's a lot of young talent coming through and they may now be thinking 'there's a chance for me' in a few years to be playing in the A-League.

"For that reason alone, I think the game in Queensland is going to improve for sure."

The unveiling of the club's nickname, logo and colours has been delayed until next Thursday after initially been set down for Wednesday of this week.

NQFC is set to begin trialling local players in February/March next year, giving North Queensland talent plenty of time to prepare for what could be a dream professional contract in the A-League.

"We never really had that opportunity to step into the A-League type competition," adds Thwaite.

"We'd have to go down south or to Sydney, which I did to try and establish myself because not much scouting happens up in Cairns let along Townsville or Mackay.

"But now that will happen through the state leagues and the lower leagues up there with this new franchise in Townsville.

"It has to happen, they have to have local players. And probably not for my generation but for the next one, it'll benefit them."

For the current generation though, Thwaite says they shouldn't expect miracles from either of the two new Queensland franchises.

"To be fair it'll be hard at the start. But they've recruited a good coach in Ian Ferguson. He has a good head on his shoulders and he was a very experienced player.

"I think as long as they recruit well – which is something that a lot of the Hyundai A-League teams are starting to learn now – they'll do well.

"But it's going to be a very big test for both Townsville and Gold Coast in season one for both clubs."