Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Paul Smith

Off-season SWQ Thunder recruit Majok Piok believes the pre-season signs are positive as the Toowoomba-based club seek to shake off their “underdogs” tag.

Piok is Thunder’s latest confirmed signing as they seek their first win the national second tier after two frustrating seasons.

The 21-year-old attacking utility has already displayed his potential – delivering a second half brace for Thunder in their BLK Silver Boot win over Ipswich Knights on Sunday.

Piok also turned out for Thunder’s PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues rivals Western Pride last year, delivering two goals in nine appearances in an injury affected season.

Now fit and firing, he is convinced Thunder loom as a stronger proposition in 2016.

“It’s been really tough being the underdogs but most of the boys are really positive and the contributions between the players and the managers have been really good,” Piok explained.

“It’s going to be a good year hopefully and the boys are starting to get that winning mentality now. So it’s been a good start.”

Piok said the competitive nature of the BLK Silver Boot tournament was proving crucial to readying the team for the season ahead.

“The Silver Boot is very important. We need this kind of stuff before the season kicks off so we can work on the chemistry of the team and the combinations,” he said.

Piok added he is excited to finally be part of Thunder after being unable to link up with the club previously as he pursued vocational qualifications in Brisbane.

However, his development on the football field also continued, with his performances bringing him to the attention of the South Sudanese national team.

“I got picked up because they were out here in Australia and they were looking for young players coming through,” he explained.

“They selected about five from Australia and we got an invitation to go over and train with them for about three weeks and there was a tournament under the African Cup of Nations.”

“It was a really good experience and I picked up a couple of things there that I’m trying to use now so it was a really good move."

However, he said while furthering his international football remains an objective, he is also firmly committed to the week-in and week-out of playing for Thunder.

“There is African Cup of Nations qualification coming up and they have been chatting with me. But I also really want to focus at the club level before anything happens internationally,” he concluded.

Thunder continue their BLK Silver Boot pre-season campaign against Brisbane Premier League side Eastern Suburbs FC on Sunday.

BLK Silver Boot 2016
Sunday, January 30
SWQ Thunder FC v Eastern Suburbs FC
Lions Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-off at 7:00PM