Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Paul Smith/Football Queensland

Teenage goalkeeper Michael Weier will draw on the advice of some of the nation’s finest glovemen when his Brisbane Strikers launch their PlayStation 4 NPL Finals Series assault on Saturday night.

The 19-year-old will line-up against Canberra Olympic at Perry Park in the first of three possible elimination fixtures that pits the eight Member Federation Premiers against each other for the title of national Champions.

Weier has come to prominence as one of Queensland’s brightest young goalkeeping prospects over the past two seasons - nudging out former Hyundai A-League shot-stoppers Michael Turnbull and Sebastian Usai to man the Strikers’ goalmouth.

He said he has learned important lessons from both as he seeks to push his case to make the step-up to professional football.

“Seb has played at some of the highest levels at Blackburn and he is one of the best goalkeepers you will see in the country,” Weier explained of his current teammate.

“To train and learn from him and see what he does is really a great experience because there is nothing better than learning from big name players like him and Turnbull.”

Just last week, Weier was hand-picked to join Melbourne City on their pre-season tour of Townsville – which saw him train alongside former Danish international and English Premier League star Thomas Sørensen.

“He was telling me more about how to deal with nerves, what it was like playing those big games and how to prepare and recover well.”

“But the technique of the European goalkeepers is a little bit different in terms of catching the ball through the chest and that was interesting too.”

The learning curve is especially important for Weier, who only found his calling as a goalkeeper five years ago after previously playing his junior football as a striker.

He said the first-hand experience trying to score goals has heavily influenced his approach between the sticks.

“I suppose it gives me that understanding of when they are going to shoot, when to be set and also in reading their foot position.”

“Of course, you miss that feeling of scoring goals but it’s an even better feeling when you keep them out. Going to goalkeeper was a really good move for me.”

While club pride will be first and foremost for the former National Soccer League Champions in the Finals Series, Weier is also well aware Strikers are flying the flag for their state – especially in light of Olympic’s recent wins over fellow Queenslanders Surfers Paradise Apollo and Redlands United in the Westfield FFA Cup.

“We’re representing Queensland and we do have that state pride, so you always want to get one up on the other states,” Weier explained.

“We’re pretty eager to see how far we can go. We didn’t do too well in the Queensland Finals Series and we want to make up for that and show the country what we are really made of.”

He added that home ground advantage could prove telling against Olympic, after experiencing the support of thousands of Strikers supporters in the Westfield FFA Cup.

“It comes in handy when you have a big crowd going for you. It really gees you up and helps you find that extra gear.”

“Canberra have done well in the FFA Cup with their home crowd and it will be interesting to see how they handle it now they have to travel,” he concluded.

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Finals Series 2016 – Elimination Final

Brisbane Strikers FC v Canberra Olympic FC
Saturday, September 17 | 6:00PM
Perry Park, Brisbane

Tickets - $10 (adults), $5 (concession), Free (Under 16’s)

Watch the LIVE stream at www.nationalpremierleagues.com.au