Words: Michael Flynn & Steve Pitman

Brisbane Strikers veteran defender Grieg Henslee has credited his team’s assertive style as the key to their rise to the top of the PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland table.

Strikers moved ahead of early season front-runners Moreton Bay United on Saturday with a comprehensive 5-1 win over Brisbane Roar Youth at Perry Park.

Henslee explained that taking the game to their younger opponents from the outset was an important part of securing the three points that extended Strikers’ undefeated start to the season to five games.

“We spoke about it before the game, that they only way to play these guys is to exert your authority,” the 32-year-old defender explained.

“Technically, they are as good a side as you’ll come up against. They’ve obviously been well drilled in the way they play – they play the Brisbane Roar way which is, you know, the best in Australia.”

Henslee was recruited by his former Sunshine Coast FC coach Kevin A’herne-Evans to Strikers during the off-season and was previously an influential figure in Fire’s dominance of the Queensland State League competition - the state's second-tier precursor to PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland.

The Scotland-raised central defender has added much-needed steel to the Strikers backline in 2015, but it is his return of three goals in five matches that has proven vital to his team’s early season run of results.

On Saturday, he headed home his side’s second goal from a corner kick and credited Strikers’ ongoing threat from set-pieces to relentless practice.

“I’m feeling confident going forward for corners,” Henslee said.

“Probably half an hour of our Thursday night training sessions are geared towards set pieces - and they’ve been very rewarding for us this season, not just for myself personally.”

“We have scored a few goals from them and we have created a lot of chances. I was confident. I actually fancied myself to score this weekend, I really did,” he further admitted.

This Sunday, Strikers host Jets in a top of the table PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland clash at Perry Park. The match will pit Henslee against the league’s all-time leading goalscorer - Royce Brownlie.

“It’s going to be a good battle but it’s the reason I’m here,” said of the looming contest.

“He’s a quality player, Moreton Bay are a good side, they’re unbeaten in the league and have won four from four. I can’t wait for the weekend - it’s going to be a huge battle,” Henslee concluded.