Words: Staff Writers
Image: Steven Gibson Photography

Brisbane Strikers coach Kevin A’herne-Evans has declared that pre-season is over ahead of his side’s BLK Silver Boot Final against Lions FC on Sunday.

Strikers have been the form side of the traditional pre-season competition – demonstrated by a 6-1 demolition of Holland Park Hawks in the Semi Final on Thursday - and are looking to win the tournament for the first time since 2013.

Standing in their way are reigning Brisbane Premier League Premiers Lions, who like Strikers also boast a rich history that includes several years in the former National Soccer League.

A’herne-Evans said the match-up was an early season blockbuster that is building as a more than just another pre-season game.

“It’ll be a really good game. It’s got that cup final feel to it and, everything being fair, it should have been the Canale Cup Final from last year,” A’herne-Evans said, referencing both club’s advance to last year’s Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32 as the two representatives from the Queensland capital.

“So it gives us an opportunity to play Lions in a competitive game where there’s a little bit of silverware to be won at the end of it”.

A’herne-Evans explained that with his squad now announced for the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues season the air of pre-season has faded.

“We said that Thursday night was basically the start of our season and everything else then was about getting to know each other – formalities, structures and principles of play.”

“Thursday night was the time that we started to put it together on the field, going out there with the mentality of ‘we’re here to win games’ and it will be no different tomorrow.”

He added that if his side could replicate their Semi-Final performance against Hawks, which included hat-tricks to Fraser Hills and Alistair Davis, they will again prove hard to beat.

“I thought we were superb on Thursday night. It was as good as we’ve played, I believe, since I’ve been at the club.”

“As we are building close to the start of the season it’s always pleasing to be able to put in sustained periods of good football.”

“Now we’ve got to back it up against a really good team like Lions, who’ve got quality players all over the park and are on their home patch,” he concluded.

The match will be preceded by the competition’s third-place play-off featuring Strikers’ PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues rivals Gold Coast City and Hawks.

BLK Silver Boot 2016 - Final
Sunday, February 14
Lions Stadium, Brisbane
Lions FC v Brisbane Strikers FC
Kick-off at 7:00pm