Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Brian Monro

Brisbane Strikers’ 'baby-faced assassin' Fraser Hills is looking to move his break-out year onto the national stage against Rovers Darwin in the Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32.

Strikers head to the Northern Territory to take on the largely unheralded Norzone Premier Men’s outfit on Wednesday with the aim of bettering last year’s heart-breaking Round of 32 exit to Victoria’s Hume City.

The former National Soccer League Champions have been a mainstay of the Westfield FFA Cup in its short history – twice previously reaching the competition’s national stage.

Hills has been a major contributor to Strikers’ eye-catching performances this season and has established himself as a regular starter for Strikers after impressive cameos in 2015.

The 21-year-old attacking midfielder said the tie will be the brightest stage he has played on in his still burgeoning career.

“It’s going to be a great experience for me as a young player to travel there and there’s no better way to see Australia than through football.”

“This will be the biggest game I have played in. It will be watched by a lot of people, everyone gets involved in it and it will be quality to be part of it.”

“To be involved in such a great tournament is unbelievable. It’s great for us as a team and I can’t wait to see how good they are in Darwin.”

Hills conceded that Rovers remain a largely unknown proposition but he and his teammates don’t take any team lightly.

“They are a bit of an unknown but we go there with the mindset that we are versing the best teams we can play in the cup.”

“Every team lifts against us because everyone wants to beat the Brisbane Strikers. But we will look to dominate the whole game like we do every other game and get to the next round.”

With seven goals to his credit this season, Hills will provide plenty of spark in the attacking third along with joint PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland leading goalscorer Rhys Meredith.

However, he said the key to a win on Wednesday night is Strikers’ notoriously miserly defence that didn’t concede a single goal in the Preliminary Rounds and boasts a PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland best nine clean sheets in 2016.

“I think the ability not to concede goals is the most important in a cup game,” Hills asserted.

“I think we’ve got the best two central defenders that I know in Greig Henslee and Jake Marshall. They’ve got so much desire to keep a clean sheet and they work hard for us.”

“If they do their job back there we will just keep the goals coming. The team works as a unit.”

Originally hailing from Essex outside London, Hills moved to Australia seven years ago and previously had stints with West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur and Southend’s Junior Academies.

Despite not being able to see the Strikers first-hand during their National Soccer League heyday, Strikers’ high standards and winning mentality are not lost on Hills.

“The club is so professional – it’s unreal how good it is - and we attract players through the professionalism of the club itself and it’s just brilliant to be part of.”

“The club has a great history and hopefully we can add to that because it’s a privilege to be at the Strikers.”

Westfield FFA Cup 2016 – Round of 32

Rovers Darwin FC v Brisbane Strikers FC
Wednesday, July 27 | 7:00PM (local) 7:30PM (AEST)
Darwin Football Stadium, Darwin

Ticket Details - http://www.theffacup.com.au/tickets

Live Stream - http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/ffa-cup/ffacupondemand