Premier men’s football coaches name top players ahead of semi finals
With only four teams remaining the leagues top coaches have revealed their finals expectations and which top players from their team will be the keys to tournament success.
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With only four teams remaining in the Sunshine Coast premier men’s football competition the league’s top coaches have revealed their finals expectations and which top players from their team will be the keys to tournament success.
Top of the table Nambour Yandina will host fourth-placed Woombye while Noosa and Kawana, who are only separated by one point, will play in the second versus third semi final matchup.
Being crowned minor premiers back in September was Nambour Yandina United’s first piece of silverware since their competition debut in 1974.
Nambour Yandina finished the season 11 points clear of second place but only six points then separated the rest of the top four.
All teams have now had a two-week break and we caught up with each coach to find out how they’re feeling and which players will be the ones to watch.
Kawana FC (Brad Lloyd)
“Obviously the two weeks off is a bit of a momentum killer but it’s also a good opportunity to get some injuries sorted out and have some solid training sessions under your belt,” Lloyd said.
“The group is really looking forward to the finals series and the boys have been really intense at training which is good.
“We definitely have a talented enough squad to win it all but we have to hope the lack of games won’t play to much of a role.”
Dylan Firth
“Dylan is one of our midfielders and is probably one of the best footballers to play on the Coast,” Lloyd said.
“He could have definitely played at higher levels and if he is on he is pretty hard to stop.
“He scores goals and sets up goals constantly so he is very important for us.”
Brayden Huston
“Brayden is another who plays in our midfield and has been really good for us this year,” Lloyd said.
“His workrate is exceptional, he has matured a lot over the past two years and he fits in really well with some of those more experienced players around him.”
Nambour Yandina Utd FC (Korey Nix)
“Everyone is really excited and we’re not trying to put too much pressure on ourselves by just continuing on what we’ve been doing all season,” he said.
“That’s what has got us the league title so we will just carry on what we’ve been doing and we are looking forward to getting our teeth into proper preoperational training.”
Nix said he was quietly confident his team can perform well.
“On our day we can beat any one and we’ve proved that all season,” he said.
“Obviously we played Woombye, Noosa and Kawana our last three games and we were really strong in all of them so we can’t really get a better preparation heading into finals.”
Marco Fichtner
“His discipline is really good and he has been a really good addition to our team,’” Nix said.
“His willingness to win and learn has been huge and it’s a massive compliment to his all round ability.”
Jonathan Harth
“We have been really good in attack this season and this is probably his best all round season I’ve seen him have,” Nix said.
“He has been consistent all season by assisting and scoring important goals in most games.”
Noosa FC (Ben Amson)
“We’re feeling very positive, very good,” Amson said.
“We’re full of confidence heading into it and the two week lay off isn't something we really wanted but we can deal with that and are in a good spot heading into the finals.
“For me it’s another game and hopefully another win so I think the boys will perform well.”
“It’s very hard for me to name individual players but our three in midfield of Luke Becconsall, Cory Johnson and Jack Williams are up there,” he said.
“When they put it all together the rest of it just falls into place for the rest of the squad.
“When those three are on I don't think there is a better midfielder in the competition.”
Woombye FC was approached for a comment but was unable to be reached ahead of the deadline.
Both matches will kick off on Saturday at 6pm with Noosa taking on Kawana at Caloundra and Nambour Yandina coming up against Woombye at Maroochydore.
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