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South West Queensland Thunder ready for grand final

FOOTBALL: Premierships are often built on defence, and the SWQ Thunder have one of the best around.

The club’s under-13 boys face Brisbane City in tomorrow’s NPL grand final, having conceded just 23 regular season goals — less than a goal a game.

They face the minor premiers full of confidence knowing their work as a unit will benefit them greatly.

“We’ve got a great bunch of boys,” assistant coach Luke Stenhouse said.

“Coaching them this season has been easy because of their attitude.

“They’ve worked hard all

‘‘ THEY’RE COMMITTED TO PLAYING GOOD QUALITY FOOTBALL AND WORKING HARD FOR EACH OTHER. LUKE STENHOUSE

season — training three nights a week and giving 100 per cent in every game.

“They’re committed to playing good quality football and working hard for each other.”

The Thunder finished second to City on goal difference and Stenhouse said their defence would get the job done again.

“We’ve a great back four,” he said. “They work really well together and conceded only 23 goals all season.

“It’s not just them, though – we’re solid right across the park.

“We have five Queensland Country side reps in the team.”

Pushing forward, the Thunder will look to main attacking threat Jaydahn Hearn who scored 31 goals this season.

“We’re a team that likes to play fast attacking football,” Stenhouse said.

“We like to move the ball quickly and put pressure on our opponents when we have the ball.

“The important thing will be playing to our strengths in the final and staying composed.

“Sometimes finals can be a bit overwhelming, particularly in this age bracket. If we play our natural game and stick to the plan I think we will be more than competitive.

“We’ve played to our strengths all season and it’s worked fine – there’s no point trying to change anything now. We’re confident we can get the job done.”

The team heads into the grand final in form after an 8-0 over Brisbane Strikers and 2-1 semi-final victory against Olympic FC.

The Thunder trailed early, conceding in the 14th minute, before Fletcher Skewes drew them level in the 36th minute.

Hearn scored the game winning goal from the penalty spot in the 56th minute of play.

Photo: Kevin Farmer GRAND FINAL BOUND: Ready for the under-13 NPL grand final are South West Queensland Thunder players (back, from left) Joshua Zahra, Quinn Farmer, Thisaja Samarawickrama, Xavier Knecht, Flynn Proctor, Lachlan Stenhouse, Zachary Lucido, Jaydahn Hearn, Ryan Debortoli, Kai Richardson and Tyran Henningsen and (front, from left) Taku Doherty, Sam Wilson, Fletcher Skewes, Kaden Willmot and Nicholas Brehaut.

Photo: Kevin Farmer ON TARGET: Jaydahn Hearn scores the game winning goal for South West Queensland Thunder in the semi-final against Olympic FC.