Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Keith Eigeland (Football Queensland)

Returning Brisbane City fullback Luca Jannese says he and his teammates are hungry for both league and cup success in 2015.

With a total of 46 appearances in City colours, the 21-year-old Queensland Academy of Sport product has played more games than any of his teammates in PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland.

Now preparing for his third season in the competition, he explained he was hoping to translate that experience into silverware in 2015.

“Last year was a bit disappointing for us, so the main goal for us is to make the finals and then to win – that’s going to be our goal as a team,” Jannese said.

“Personally, I’d like to keep my consistency up and I think that if everyone does that then we will go a lot better next year.”

However, Jannese acknowledged it won’t be easy as rival PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland clubs continue to strengthen.

“From season one to season two, the league improved a lot and it’s not going to go away. It’s only going to get stronger and stronger.”

“There are some very good players around, but now it’s the third year in and we know what it’s about and we know what we’re doing going into games.”

“So it’s about going one further now because losing the Grand Final two years ago still annoys me a fair bit,” he added in reference to City’s heartbreaking 2013 defeat to rivals Olympic FC on penalties.

Jannese said another disappointment was City’s early exit from the inaugural Westfield FFA Cup qualifying at the hands of Logan Lightning earlier this year – a match that he didn’t play.

He said the club was determined to return to the national stage by qualifying for the Round of 32 in 2015.

“You only got to look at what Bentleigh and the other teams did. Their cup runs were phenomenal and also what it did for their club and their local community and the players.”

“We were sitting at home watching it thinking that should’ve been us and we’d love to be doing that.

“So next year that’s definitely a goal for us. It’s something the club wants and definitely something the players want.”

Jannese believes a cup run will allow the latest generation of City players to reconnect with the club’s history, which included winning back-to-back National Soccer League Cup deciders in the late seventies.

“You look back at the NSL and City were playing against South Melbourne, Heidelburg, Sydney United. The FFA Cup now gives us the chance to do that again,” Jannese said.

While very much the team player, Jannese did concede he has one personal goal for the upcoming season – ending his PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland goal drought.

“I haven’t scored one yet and it’s a bit of a running joke. So it would definitely be nice to get one next year,” he concluded.

While confirming Jannese's return, club sources also confirmed fellow fullback Cameron Tew will not return for the club next season.