Words: Steve Pitman, Brisbane Strikers
Image: Brisbane Strikers

Brisbane Strikers winger Scot Coulson insists that past club loyalties will have no bearing on the outcome of the Strikers’ first Football Queensland Cup game against Capalaba Bulldogs.

On Thursday, Strikers were drawn away to the Brisbane Premier League club in the Canale Travel Cup, which serves as the Brisbane zone of the statewide knockout tournament.

The Football Queensland Cup is Queensland’s pathway to the FFA Cup, where the prize of a tie against an A-League side potentially awaits the state’s four qualifying clubs.

Coincidentally, four of the current Strikers squad – Matt Thurtell, Scot Coulson, David Roby and Alex Schiavo – are former Bulldogs juniors and strong coaching and managerial links have existed between the two clubs for several years.

Coulson said that despite the good relationship between the two clubs, he was looking forward to the cup tie.

“To be honest, it was just pure excitement”, said Coulson when asked his initial reaction to the draw.

“Obviously I’ve been at the Strikers and the Roar (Youth) and the QAS since leaving Capalaba, but to be able to ‘verse’ my old club and some of the people that I know from the club from when I grew up  - it’s going to be a good experience to go back and play the boys”.

The 19 year old winger, who is flourishing in his second season as a senior footballer having scored six goals to sit currently atop the Strikers’ goal scoring charts, played all of his junior football at Capalaba prior to moving to the QAS. He said he had only good memories about playing for the Bulldogs.

“I have a lot to thank Capalaba for”, Coulson said.  “They started me off as a little junior and they improved me as a footballer and as a person – and the other boys like Matty (Thurtell) – so I’ve got really, really happy memories there”.

However, Coulson was keen to assure Strikers supporters that none of those pleasant memories would distract his attention from the job at hand if he is selected to play in the fixture.

“That doesn’t really come into your mind. You don’t go out there to draw, you don’t go out there to lose. Regardless of who you are playing, you want to win”, Coulson said.

“Obviously it’s going to be good to come up against the old team, but when we go across the white line all it’s going to be about is to get the win and progress in the competition”.

While the possibilities of a good cup run always sparks the imaginations of fans and media, Coulson said at this stage discussion within the squad had been low key.

“There’s been a little bit of small talk about it but nothing too major”, Coulson said. 

“Obviously, we are doing okay in the (National Premier Leagues Queensland) competition so far and that is our main focus.”

“It has come up in conversation a little bit – what it is about, and how it is a good opportunity for us to play against some other teams from other leagues. If we progress we could be versing some A-League teams - and I think that’s quite exciting,” he concluded.