BROTHERS TO KEEP FOCUS ON WINNING
A RESTRUCTURED football season does not change anything for Steve Mcnaughton and his Brothers club.
Such is the strength of the Townsville competition, regardless of the number of fixtures, each side needs to turn up week after week.
North Queensland Football unveiled a new format for the 2020 season last week with 14-rounds to go ahead – originally slated for July 4 but now more likely July 10 in line with State Government guidelines.
Mcnaughton, the Brothers president and women’s premier league coach, said all it meant was early wins would be crucial to get ahead of their rivals.
He said at this stage plans to return to training would be put on hold until groups of 20 could congregate from June 12 as per the state’s coronavirus guidelines.
But with a date to work towards the buzz was back.
“We’ve obviously been communicating throughout the lockdown encouraging the girls to do their own fitness but without actually being there to supervise the girls are left to their own devices,” Mcnaughton said.
“Some work better in groups than individually … but having chatted to them regularly they are absolutely keen to get going.
“I think there’s a renewed freshness about it, there’s a lot of discussion about whether we’ll lose people to the game but I think I’m getting a sense it’s quite the opposite.
“It’s encouraging they’re keen to get back on the park and reconnect.”
While grassroots competitions have been given the green light, there is still an element of mystery around the future of this year’s FFA Cup.
The Brothers men’s side had progressed to the final round of the Townsville leg prior to COVID-19 suspensions.
It was the best the team had performed in the competition in Mcnaughton’s memory – pushing NPL franchise Mackay Whitsunday Magpies Crusaders United all the way to extra time.
He said the club was eager to build on that momentum, armed with the knowledge of what it took to succeed at that level of football. But the reality from his end was that every club would essentially be started from scratch, something their club was not immune to. “Any momentum anyone had is lost and it’s pretty much just starting the pre-season again,” Mcnaughton said.