Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Alberto Perez/Football Queensland

Palm Beach Sharks midfielder Troy Ruthven believes his team can maintain their recent form in the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Finals Series against Bonnyrigg White Eagles.

Sharks face the New South Wales Premiers tomorrow night in Sydney in the competition’s Semi Final stage, after coming from a goal down to advance 2-1 against Weston Workers Bears last weekend.

Ruthven, 24, has previous experience at Bonnyrigg Sports Ground, after playing at the ground for Sutherland Sharks in Sydney competitions as a junior.

He said while he expects a hard fought contest he and his teammates are ready for the challenge.

“I think it’s going to be extremely tough. I grew up in Sydney playing against teams like Bonnyrigg, so I know we’re in for a real hard game,” Ruthven explained.

“We probably go into it as the underdogs. There’s no doubt that we are capable of winning, but we will have to play at our best.”

Ruthven said that in addition to representing the club, he and his Sharks teammates were aware they are also representing Queensland football as a whole in the Finals Series.

“We want to make the club as proud as possible and put them on the map firstly, but when it gets to the nationals stage you are really representing your state,” he explained.

“It’s a good way for us to show that the Queensland league is as strong as the other states, so it’s very important.”

After playing against Weston Workers (Northern New South Wales) last round, as well as Hakoah Sydney City (New South Wales) and South Springvale (Victoria) in the Westfield FFA Cup, Ruthven identified some differences between the approaches of teams from the various member federations.

“One thing I’ve noticed since coming from Sydney is that in Queensland the intensity is a lot higher,” Ruthven said.

“I think to win a match you have to really earn it up here. The teams down south focus on playing a certain style, and that can work to their benefit, but it can also be a bit of a let-down because there is only a ‘Plan A’.”

“I think that gives us the spirit to really push on and fight for games,” he added.

Ruthven has been a key figure in Sharks’ success this season, which will continue after the PS4 NPL Finals Series in the Quarter Finals of the Westfield FFA Cup against Central Coast Mariners next month.

He said fitting in with the Sharks system this year was made easier by the support he has received.

“From day one, (coach) Grae (Piddick) has given me a role to play, and it’s been different in a holding sense, but it’s getting easier and easier,” Ruthven said.

“With the other players around, they are high quality and it makes it easier to fit in because I know they will be helping me,” he concluded.