Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Getty Images

Central Coast Mariners defender Zac Anderson is excited by his return to the Gold Coast against Palm Beach Sharks in tomorrow night’s Westfield FFA Cup Quarter Final.

An Australian representative at youth level, Anderson made his professional debut with former Hyundai A-League club Gold Coast United, who played out of the same Cbus Super Stadium that will host tomorrow night’s cup tie.

Despite looking forward to the contest, Anderson said he wasn’t expecting an easy home-coming against the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Champions.

“It’s going to be fantastic. I really enjoyed my time playing at Cbus Stadium as it’s called now and I had three fantastic years there,” Anderson said.

“Obviously it was really upsetting to leave and how that all eventuated, but I’m really looking forward to returning against Palm Beach tomorrow night.”

Mariners prevailed 1-0 against Newcastle Jets in the opening round of the Hyundai A-League on Saturday and Anderson said he and his teammates expect another hard-fought contest against Sharks.

“The boys are expecting a really tough game. We understand that Palm Beach have won everything they have been involved in and they have been a really formidable side throughout Queensland.”

The match will be Mariners second Westfield FFA Cup match against PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland opposition after they booked their place in the Quarter Finals with a 3-1 win over Olympic FC in Brisbane last month.

Anderson said the improving quality of NPL clubs around the country was becoming increasingly evident.

“We had a few hit-outs in New South Wales and then we got up against Olympic, who gave us a good test and we had to work really hard to get through that round,” he explained.

“State league football is getting stronger and stronger and it’s one of the reasons that the A-League is getting stronger as well.”

“The players in the state league are pushing for professional contracts every year and it’s fantastic to see players from the state league get an opportunity to play professional football.”

Anderson was born in the north Queensland town of Ayr and played the majority of his junior football at Sunshine Coast community clubs Caloundra United and Maroochydore before earning selection to the QAS when he was 15.

He said he and fellow Queenslander Josh Rose maintained a keen interest in the development of Queensland football from inside the Mariners camp.

“We keep in touch with everything that is going on in our state and it’s fantastic to see the competition that has happened over the last couple of years.”

“It’s a fantastic competition and Queensland should be really proud of it,” he added.

While a long career at the highest levels appears likely for the 23-year old, Anderson did concede that after his professional days are over he would consider a return to Queensland – possibly as an Australian Marquee player.

“It’s obviously a very viable option and once I get to that stage of my career it will definitely be something I think about it,” Anderson said.

“It’s great to see some of the boys going back to the state league, representing their state and giving a little something back as well,” he concluded.

Match Details:

Tuesday, 14 October 2014
Palm Beach Sharks v Central Coast Mariners
Cbus Super Stadium, Robina (QLD)
Kick-off: 6.30pm local (7:30pm AEDT)

Tickets: Available at the venue
TV broadcast: LIVE and exclusive on FOX SPORTS 2 and 2HD
Radio broadcast: Coast-FM 96.3

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