Words: Garry McKenzie
Image: Chris Simpson

Western Pride coach Graham Harvey has plenty of advice for his team ahead of their first flight north this season – including steering clear of airline food.

Pride fly to Townsville on Saturday to take on Northern Fury with both teams keen to chalk up their first PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues win of 2016.

Harvey previously coached the Mackay-based Whitsunday Miners to the Queensland State League 2012 Grand Final in a season featuring regular flights around Queensland.

He said off-field preparation which allowed the players to be fully rested and competitive was the key to playing after a long-distance flight.

“It’s an early start, yet at the back end of the day you have to play,” Harvey explained.

“It is about making sure the boys rest at the right times and their fluid intake is correct throughout the day.”

Harvey added food was the other major consideration during such away rounds.

“With all due respect, we make sure the boys aren’t eating the airline’s food,” Harvey explained.

“As a club we have to provide the players with the best nutrition we can.”

Pride’s midfielder Sean Karambasis echoed his manager’s advice having taken the reverse flight to the south-east of the state as a member of Fury’s squad over the previous two seasons.

Karambasis said the most important thing from a player’s perspective was to relax during the journey.

“You have to chill out and try not to do a whole heap as flying takes a lot out of you.” Karambasis said.

“Then when you hop off the plane you usually go for a walk and stretch out the muscles.”

Karambasis will not take the field against his old teammates having only returned to training this week following appendicitis in February.

However, the 18-year old will be flying up to his hometown to watch the contest from the stands.

Karambasis said he had faith in Pride doing well but warned it would be a tough game.

“As it is Fury’s first home game of the season they will want to show what they can do,” he said.

Karambasis said he is currently working hard to regain match fitness and regain a place in Harvey’s starting eleven, where he featured heavily in pre-season.

In particular he is looking forward to June when Fury make the journey to Ipswich. 

“I really want to play the return leg so I really hope I’ll be fine when Fury fly down here,” Karambasis concluded.

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 - Round 4
Saturday, March 19
Northern Fury FC v Western Pride FC
Townsville Sports Reserve, Townsville
Kick-off at 7:00PM