Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Michael Flynn/Football Queensland

PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland Under 23 All-Stars coaches Martin Docherty and Grae Piddick want their team to put on a show against Brisbane Roar.

FNQ Heat coach Docherty and Palm Beach SC coach Piddick will take the reins of the 17 man All-Stars squad against the three time Hyundai A-League Champions this weekend at QSAC - the match serving as a curtain raiser to the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Elimination Final between Moreton Bay United and Edgeworth Eagles.

Docherty and Piddick both agreed that with the team only having a few days to prepare for the game that they will both look to instil a sense of freedom amongst their charges.

“This is a shop window for the players and we should allow them a chance to express themselves without fear of results,” Docherty explained.

“Expressing yourself could be not just going out there and ruling the roost with the ball - it could be your positional sense or your organisation skills.”

“I don’t really care if we win or lose, I want players to be identified this weekend and that will make the whole exercise worthwhile.”

Docherty explained that in addition to the players it’s a chance for himself and Piddick to demonstrate their wiles as coaches - with the pair already coming to national attention with their tactical nous after twice qualifying for the national stages of the Westfield FFA Cup.

“It’s an opportunity for us as well and maybe it means someone might say maybe this guy could be at another level.”

“It’s an honour and a privilege to be voted by your peers and that’s the same for the coaches and the players,” he concluded.

Despite topping the votes for the coach’s role ahead of Piddick, Docherty said both will be equally responsible for preparing the side.

“We will run the team together and we will enjoy the experience together. He will have the same if not more input than me because he has earned the right as well.”

Piddick, who guided Sharks to the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Premiership-Championship double last season, said the All-Stars game has the potential to be a true showpiece as it matures.

“Overall it’s a concept that certainly has its merit and this year being the first year it will be interesting to see how it goes,” Piddick said.

“We saw that the Gold Coast All-Stars got a bit of a touch-up recently by the Roar and getting a whole bunch of players to gel in one or two training sessions will be a challenge.”

“But there’s been plenty of interest in the concept and the voting process and hopefully that drives further interest and each year it can be bigger and better.”

He added that one interesting point of discussion between him and Docherty will be the game time provided to the goalkeepers - with Heat’s Nicholas Mooney and Sharks’ Shane Viitakangas both selected to the squad.

“The obvious thing would probably be half a game each but we will see how they both go,” Piddick said.

“Both keepers I’m sure will have a fair bit of action at their end and it will be a good test for them,” he concluded.

The PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Under 23 All-Stars are proudly sponsored by Soccer World.

Match Details:

PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Under 23 All-Stars vs Brisbane Roar FC
Saturday, 19 September
Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre (QSAC), Brisbane
Kick-off at 4:30PM

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Elimination Final
Moreton Bay United FC v Edgeworth Eagles FC
Saturday, 19 September 2015
QSAC, Brisbane
Kick-off at 7:30PM

Gates Open at 3:30PM

Admission: $10 Adults, $5 Concesssion, Under 5's FREE, FFA Registered Players Under 16 FREE

Both matches will be LIVE streamed at www.nplqld.com.au