Words: Michael Flynn
Image: FB Media

Moreton Bay United have confirmed the return of club foundation player Jonathan Marraiya for their PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland title defence.

The 22-year-old midfielder reunites with Jets from Peninsula Power, where he won the Brisbane Premier League Grand Final last season.

Marraiya was a promising member of Jets inaugural PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland campaign in 2013 before his development was halted by a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.

Returning for a handful of appearances with Jets in early 2015, he opted to switch to nearby Power as he sought regular game time to aid his ongoing rehabilitation.

Marriaya said his mid-season switch was a tough decision but he believes it ensured he was ready for a return to the national second tier in 2016.

“I didn’t have much of a pre-season (last season) and I was having a bit of trouble with my other knee and training three nights a week was a bit too much at the time,” Marraiya explained.

“So I decided to make a move for myself to Power where I knew I could get 90 minutes a week and only be training twice a week and it would be a lot lighter load.”

He added, “It was always hard walking away from Moreton Bay when I did because we had a good team there with good chemistry and I knew they would do really well.” 

“I was obviously gutted I missed out on the season Moreton Bay had but it was a personal decision that I had to make.”

Despite his Grand Final winning contributions with Power - scoring six goals in 13 appearances under former Jets coach Terry Kirkham - Marraiya stated he always eyed a return to PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland in 2016.

“For me the difference between both of the competitions was an important factor,” he said.

“(In the BPL) you’d go from a really tough game one week to a really average game the next, whereas going back to the NPL it’s a very consistent league where every week is a tough game.”

“I want that challenge and that’s what has motivated me to go back to Moreton Bay,” he concluded.

Jets Technical Director Adam Piddick said he foresees Marraiya playing an important role in the club’s title defence in 2016, with the ability to contribute as both an attacking and defensive midfielder.

“There is no doubting his ability to play and if he gets a good pre-season under his belt then I think he will be a big player for us this season,” Piddick stated.