Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Alannah Pearson/Olympic FC

Olympic FC midfielder Jake McLean is looking to continue his break-out season with a win in this Saturday’s NPL Queensland Semi-Final against FNQ FC Heat in Cairns.

Olympic travel to the far north to face the second-placed Heat in the second of two semi-finals, with a place in the NPL Queensland Grand Final the reward for the winner.

If Olympic can defeat Heat it will mean a second successive Grand Final appearance for the Brisbane club after hosting last year's decider against Brisbane City.

McLean said he was confident he and his teammates can make amends for 3-2 loss against Heat in their previous meeting between the clubs two weeks ago.

“We can definitely turn it around. We had a few opportunities in the first half that had we scored it would have been a completely different game,” McLean explained.

“They got a couple of good goals, but if we can put our goals away early then we should be able to get the win and make the grand final.”

He said he was looking forward to renewing rivalries with Heat’s star midfield duo of Alex Smith and Zenon Caravella on Saturday.

“I always prefer playing against better quality players. It’s always entertaining and a better challenge for myself,” he said.

McLean has scored seven goals this season for Olympic in the league as well as coming to national prominence with a brace in his side’s 3-1 Westfield FFA Cup win over Melbourne Knights.

The 21-year-old explained that his returns this year have been borne of hard-work and more minutes.

“I used to struggle a bit with fitness, so with a couple of full seasons under my belt and with a bit more strength, maturity and better decision-making, it all helps.”

“I’ve played a lot of games at senior level now, so I’ve gained a bit of experience and there’s a lot of good players playing around me.”

McLean added the contributions of his team-mates were crucial to his own performances this year.

“We have a pretty competitive team, so everyone wants to do better than everyone else,” he explained.

“It’s all about the team at the end of the day, but we do have a bit of one-upmanship and that means everyone tries to do their best.”

Olympic’s last trip to Cairns was marred by an ugly incident when a spectator ran on to the pitch to confront Rhys Meredith after taking offence to a challenge from the Olympic forward.

McLean hopes a repeat isn’t on offer this weekend in the do-or-die clash, saying “Hopefully they got a bit of muscle around the fences or else it might get a bit heated again.”

Heat host Olympic in the second of two elimination semi-finals this Saturday at Barlow Park. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30pm.

The first semi-final will see Palm Beach Sharks host Brisbane Strikers at Mallawa Compex on the Gold Coast. Kick-off in that match is scheduled for 5pm.