Attacking weapon Reuben Way has set his sights on firing Olympic FC to more silverware in 2014, having joined the NPL Queensland premiers for their title defence.

Way scored 20 goals for Redlands United last year, equal with Olympic captain Danny Byrne, but is clear in his reasons on moving to Goodwin Park.

“Obviously the success of the Club,” Way said, "I am pretty driven by success."

Way explained, “Last year Redlands didn’t quite make the finals when we were expected to and really should have." 

“That meant my season finished in August while the boys here, their season finished late October (as Olympic competed in the inaugural National Premier Leagues Finals Series).”

Renowned for scoring spectacular goals, Way spent two seasons with Gold Coast United’s National Youth League (NYL) team earlier in his career and is philosophical about a potential A-League future.

“I was at Gold Coast in 2009 and 2010. Unfortunately I got injured a lot, I had a knee operation and osteitis pubis in one season and things obviously didn’t turn out too well with the club having its license revoked.

“But I learned a lot and experienced what it is like playing with a professional club.”

Way was under the guidance of Mike Mulvey at the Gold Coast, allowing him to develop a “down-to-earth” relationship with the current Brisbane Roar boss.

“The second year I was there I was still injured and he said if it was his job to win the NYL I would have been signed but, because it is about development and I was unable to play half the season, it would be unfair not to give another up-and-coming kid an opportunity.

“That was a kind of a hard thing to grasp at the time and who knows if things were different where I would be now. I try not to think about that, I just try to play my best football and I am certainly enjoying it.

Way explained he had matured since his time with United, “I was 19 when I was playing at the Gold Coast and I am now nearly 24. I have just finished university so other things are priorities now too.”

However, the NPL Queensland Supporters XI selection is no less adamant about his intentions for the new year and beyond.

“I am still going to be playing as good as football as I can every week.

“I think without training full-time as a professional my best of chance of playing my best football is here at Olympic.”

Wednesday night’s Lions FC Silver Boot opener against North Star presents Way and his senior men’s teammates the perfect chance to continue the double-winning standard set in 2013.

“I have won the competition a couple of times before and with the Club losing in the final of it last time we know coming second is a kick in the teeth,” he said.

“We want to win everything here at Olympic and that is definitely the goal for the Silver Boot.”

 

Words: Matt Dorman (Olympic FC)
Image: Olympic FC