Words: Staff Writers
Image: Albert Perez

Moreton Bay United midfielder Jordan Farina believes Wolter Park must remain a fortress for his side this season.

The defending PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Premiers and Champions return to their home ground for their first competitive game of 2016 on Saturday against Brisbane Roar Youth.

Last season, only Brisbane Strikers and FNQ Heat were able to claim a point against Jets on their home turf – every other team leaving the venue empty handed.

Farina said if Jets are to become the first team to go back-to-back in the competition’s four year history, then that record must be replicated.

“I think playing at home is always important for us and it’s important to keep the winning streak,” Farina explained.

“For the players that have been here a while Wolter Park’s a special place to play, with a good crowd, it’s nice and tight. This is our fortress and we want to keep it that way.”

Jets sit equal top of the league standings after the opening round but Farina, who scored the winning goal in last year’s Grand Final, said there is plenty of room to improve on last weekend’s 3-1 win over Brisbane City.

“I wouldn’t have called it (the win at City) 100 per cent perfect,” he said.

“I think there’s still a lot things we could improve upon our first game of the season, but there were definitely good signs going forward.”

He said while Young Roar are a vastly different proposition to City, he and his teammates are confident they have the skills to combat Josh McCloughan’s side.

“I don’t think they’ll be a different approach for the Roar. They are very technical and I wouldn’t be surprised if they train every day of the week. But we know we have strengths and are good technically.”

“There’s a reason why we won the league, we can vary it. We can play really good football at times, but we can dig in when we have to.”

Young Roar’s squad for the fixture includes former Jet Joseph Champness, who gained a reputation in 2015 as a super-sub for the eventual Premiers.

Farina suggested his rise could be inspiring for the large contingent of Jets juniors expected for the club’s home opener.

“He deserves to be there after the performances he put in here last year and it’s through players like him that Moreton Bay United is fast becoming a development club and moving them on to the next level,” Farina concluded.

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 2
Moreton Bay United FC v Brisbane Roar FC Youth
Saturday, March 5
Wolter Park, Moreton Bay
Kick-off at 6:00PM