Moreton Bay United already has a big tick beside one of its main goals this season – and at Suncorp Stadium tomorrow is going for another.
Rhys Gwynn-Jones said a top four finish in the NPL Qld Men and winning the grand final were among the squad’s aims this year.
Lofty targets, some may think, for a side which just avoided relegation last season. But coach Cameron Millar and his team have delivered in spades!
Jets were runners-up in the NPL– only our 2015 Premiership team has finished higher – and is in Jets’ third grand final, against Gold Coast Knights.
“It’s been a very good season,” Rhys said, “but this has just happened. A lot of hard work has gone into it, so props to all the boys and Cam and our coaches.”
Sam Knight, who has won 3 and lost 2 grand finals in his career, went further saying finishing second was “an amazing achievement”.
“But the problem is … there’s an element of greed in our dressing room,” he said. “We have people who really want to win a trophy this season!”
Both regular season matches were tight. Jets drew 2-2 on the Gold Coast with Sam scoring a late equaliser. In the return at Wolter Park, Jordan Farina levelled in a 1-1 draw.
Sam scored in our nail-biting 2-1 semi-final win over Brisbane City. Was it a cross or shot? “I like to say a shot,” he laughed, “I’m a full back, I don’t get many goals!
“I think the grand final (against Knights) will be tight again. They’ve been front runners this year and have good players. They’re tough to beat – and so are we.”
Rhys agreed: “Both matches were really close this season,” he said, “this (final) will be tough … I just hope we can get one more goal than them!”
While excitement is building throughout the club, Sam says players must stick to the routines which have been successful this year.
“Treat it just like every other game this season,” he said, “everyone has to turn up on the day, stay calm and stay focussed on the job.”
Rhys admitted his first grand final experience, when Jets faced Western Pride in 2017, was nerve-wracking.
“I was 18 and had only played eight senior games,” he said, “it was a big step up for me. This time, I’ve obviously had more games and am more experienced.”
He has also ‘played’ at Suncorp before: “When I was in the 7s, with Virginia, in the half-time entertainment!”