Cairns nucleus grows Filip, Koppen make most of new start
FOOTBALL MATTHEW Filip says he’s eager to be the middle man of the Cairns FC defence after being announced as the club’s newest signing alongside Bronson Koppen.
The 20-year-old had a disrupted 2017 but said he was determined to make an impact on the field next season.
Filip said shifting in from right fullback was his preference and hoped to play a part at both ends of the field.
“Out on the field I like to talk a lot and I think playing centre-back, that’s pretty useful and I’ll just play my part the best I can,” he said. “Corners and that, being 6ft 3in (190cm) it always helps when you’re attacking and on those dying minute throw-ins, it comes in handy.
“I’m just trying to train hard for preseason and get ready for a tough season ahead. It’s just about being committed.”
Cairns FC coach Danny Graystone said both players had stood out for their fitness and strength in preseason training, but was most impressed with Filip’s rare communication skills.
“His talk from the back is actually quite rare for a younger player,” he said.
“For someone who’s gone from fullback into centre-half, me being a centre-half myself, he actually reads the game very well.
“He’s very agile, which these days the modern centrehalf needs to be, and also he can play out from the back and use his feet.”
More former FNQ Heat players are expected to form the nucleus of the 2018 side, with the club on the lookout for visa and other available players.
Koppen said it could be a challenging year with rival clubs set to throw everything at avoiding relegation.
“With promotion and relegation in the new league, we need results, but I think it will be a building year,” he said.
“The team is very young. I’m 23 but there’s only a couple of players older than me so it’s a very young squad, but with Danny as the head coach I think he’ll guide us all in the right direction.”