Gables in from cold to be tropical force
THE tropics is a fair way from the extreme climate of her Canadian origin, but Olivia Gables has found a home at Edge Hill United.
Gables is one of the newer faces in the Tigers’ line-up in 2020, as the defending grand final winners cast their eye on winning the treble and title of North Queensland’s best club.
She moved to FNQ from Regina, the capital of western Canada’s Saskatchewan province, at the start of the year to continue her dental studies, and landed in one of the FNQ Premier League’s best and most competitive teams.
Gables plays a forward attacking style, slotting into the centre midfield and keeping an eye open for a shot.
“I always have my eye on the goal, I’m always looking to get forward all the time, set up one-twos and take those shots from out wide,” she said.
Gables forms a strong attacking partnership with the likes of Siobhan Macken and Josephine Whately, combining for 38 goals so far.
“To have their experience is awesome,” Gables said.
“They may not run the hardest or the fastest, but the way their mind works makes up for it.
“They’re so smart, off the ball, on the ball. You can make so many connection plays and good combinations that you wouldn’t think could happen. They always make it happen.”
While new to the rivalry, Gables knows what to expect after the teams played a 3-3 draw this season, but she’ll face a team hungry to treat the rest of the regular season as “must-win” as it pushes to achieve its own goal of winning the treble.
Leichhardt’s midfield is key with Aleeah Daven and Ciara and Louise Fowler forming one of the competition’s most exciting and lethal combinations.
Davern was part of Brisbane Roar’s national training centre challenge team last year, but with that canned due to coronavirus has focused on developing her skills with a clear goal of making the under-17 national team in 2021.
She’s doing so through the Talent Support Program, the Queensland Academy of Sport talent identification squad, and by regular playing time in one of the region’s best producers of female footballing talent this decade.
Quick on the ball and with an eye for attacking opportunities, Davern’s game has stepped up to another level since combining with the Fowler sisters.
“Playing with their structure it’s helped me with my game,” she said.
“It’s a lot faster pace and more intense.
“We didn’t have that intense play last year (but) quick passing and those combinations in the middle have helped.
“We started from our very first game but it’s just developed more as the season has gone on.”
The top-of-the-table clash at Tiger Park, Manunda, is FNQ Football’s match of the round, and kicks off at 7pm.