Coaches hit out at ‘un-Australian’ changes to comp

Sunshine Coast Premier Men’s coaches have hit out at the competition organisers over the lack of an "exciting" finals format to finish off the season.

SOCCER: Sunshine Coast soccer grand final. Nambour Yandina V Kawana. Kawana's Luke Ricketts (left). Photo Patrick Woods / Sunshine Coast Daily.

FOOTBALL: Sunshine Coast Premier Men's coaches have hit out at the competition organisers over the lack of an "exciting" finals format to finish off the season.

Last week, Sunshine Coast Football announced it would run a league-only season, similar to that played in Europe, to ensure two full rounds of competition.

While the season would run into November it would come at the expense of finals.

President Chris Dunk said the board made the decision to give everyone, including juniors, maximum playing time.

"We looked at about 18 draws and found only two options, this, or play one round and finals, and this is the one that was decided," Dunk said.

"We have a truckload of kids involved and we need to think about them. This season has been so badly disrupted already."

Local coaches acknowledged this season was unlike any other before but said they would have preferred to be part of the consultation process.

Kawana Force coach Brad Lloyd said he believed the competition would suffer without finals to look forward to.

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Lloyd, whose side are grand final regulars, said he viewed having finals as the caveat on top of the season.

"It's more value for money and I get that but it is disappointing. Grand finals are the Australian way," Lloyd said.

"It creates a much bigger atmosphere, not just for seniors, juniors too.

"The downside of no finals is that without relegation, the teams at the bottom have little to play for.

"Imagine if you have to go to Gympie for a midweek game in the middle of winter, no one will want that."

Buderim Wanderers coach Damien Waugh said to his knowledge, none of the coaches were part of the discussion. This was confirmed by Dunk who said it was a board decision.

"We were just told, no finals," Waugh said.

"It was a bit disappointing."

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Beegees coach Dan Carew said it was "odd" that the coaches did not get a say in the matter.

Carew said it would shake things up tactically with a flying start more important than ever.

"Teams who start slow and leave it til late will have to think differently," Carew said.

"Having finals is like a mixed bag. Fourth placed teams can get a sniff of silverware.

"It's exciting. But to take it away is disappointing."

Carew reserved some praise for the competition for at least having a plan of attack.

"We are just keen to get back on the pitch and play," he said.