Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Chris Simpson

For Brisbane City’s PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Under 23 All-Stars trio the match against Brisbane Roar is a bright spot at the end of a rollercoaster season.

The PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Under 23 All-Stars will face the three-time Hyundai A-League Champions this Saturday at QSAC in a curtain raiser to the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Finals Series clash between Moreton Bay United and Edgeworth Eagles.

Despite a tumultuous season that resulted in a change of coach after just five matches, City earned an equal best three selections to the All-Stars squad on the back of a strong finish to the campaign that saw the club record eight wins in their final 13 matches.

Winger Ryan Roderick, defender Kai Smith and fullback Jack Lightbody join 14 other selections in the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Under 23 All-Stars squad.

19-year-old towering centre half, Smith, has been a constant in the City backline for the past two seasons - scoring four goals in his 35 appearances for the club.

He said he was eager to extend the positive end to the 2015 season with a solid performance against Roar.

“We got off to a bad start to the season but the back half was good and we worked hard all through training sessions to keep getting better every week,” he explained.

“I think it’s my best season so far and I’m eager to just keep on improving.”

However, Smith conceded he will need to be at his absolute best to shut-down the threat of Roar’s highly regarded attack.

“I need to defend well. It’s going to be a tough one going up against the likes of (Thomas) Broich and (Jamie) Maclaren, who just put eight past Gold Coast All-Stars.”

“But really you just got to get in there and do what you normally do. You always want to play against those kinds of players.”

18-year-old wide attacking outlet Roderick (pictured) has also been a regular starter this season for City - scoring three goals in 15 appearances for the club.

He said while he is a Roar supporter, he will be holding nothing back as he seeks to test himself against the state’s only Hyundai A-League club.

“I’m eager to get out there because I want to see how I rate against the A-League players,” Roderick explained.

“I’m reasonably known for taking people on, so if the coaches say they want us to express ourselves then I am going to run at the fullbacks.”

“If I can do that and deliver some good balls into the box then I think I will have done my job.”

Fullback Lightbody, who turned 20 earlier this week, joined City midway through the 2015 campaign and earned starts in their final eight matches of the season.

He said his PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Under 23 All-Stars selection marks the end of his best season yet after struggling with injury throughout 2013 as part of the Queensland Academy of Sport team.

He said he will particularly be looking forward to facing off against former QAS teammates including Abraham Yango and Shannon Brady, who continue to see pre-season game time under Roar coach John Aloisi.

“A few of the old boys from QAS are playing at the Roar so it will be good to play against them,” Lightbody said.

“They’ve been playing at quite a high standard for a little while but it still comes down to how you are feeling on the night.”

“It’s going to be hard because any little mistake they are going to pick up on. We will need to be at our best,” 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