Report by Tommy Doleman

Sean McManus, right, wants Floreat to go one better after missing out on the title last year. Photo by Football West/FotoEnzo

Floreat Athena host Bayswater City on Saturday holding a three-point lead at the top of the NPLWA – Men’s competition with five games to play.

Despite several seasons contending at the pointy end and wins in multiple cup competitions, Athena are looking to break a 15-year title drought.

Having been 10 points clear at the midway mark of last season, Floreat have again put themselves in solid position with five wins from six games, scoring 20 goals across that run.

Sean McManus, part of the squad who finished runners-up to Perth SC in both the league and Top Four Cup in 2021, says there is an appetite at E&D Litis Stadium to put it right.

“It’s been a tough season because we’ve had a lot of injuries, including myself, but from the young boys to the older boys, everyone has stepped up and stuck together,” the winger said.

“We’ve got a few coming back as well, so we’re in a strong position, and we’ve got good squad depth too. With five games left, it’s a tough run but we’re more than confident given the players we’ve got in our team.

“We are just taking it game by game. Last season was a disappointment because we were so far ahead and maybe got caught up in it all a little bit, but we’re working hard in every training session and after last season we feel this is our time to do it. It hurt a lot and took us a while to get over, especially with the way it panned out, but that’s football and it’s a new year now with five games to go.

“At the end of the day, that burning desire after last year is still there so hopefully that can kick us on and get us over the line. No games are easy, definitely not in this season where anyone can beat anyone, but the boys are hungry for it and we’ll keep trying to get the results week-by-week.”

Having enjoyed a week off due to the State Cup final, Floreat have had the chance to refresh going into the season’s final month.

McManus may be a beneficiary of the additional recuperation time, having recently returned from a fractured leg and torn ankle ligaments.

“For that injury to happen in the first game of the season after coming out of the Night Series firing was gutting, but I said to myself I’d get back and I’ve been working really hard,” McManus said.

“It’s the business end of the season and there’s five more games, so you’ve got to push through to try and win the games and then I can rest after the season, hopefully with a trophy.

“I’m a confidence player and Vas (head coach Vas Vujacic) lets me play my own game. I’ve had periods at different clubs, but I’ve really settled in at Floreat and hopefully this is the year we can go on and win it after being close the last few years.

“The club from top to bottom, from the president to the juniors, have made me feel at home especially with my family across the other side of the world, and all I want to do is pay them back with performances on the pitch.”

Saturday’s opponents at E&D Litis Stadium, Bayswater, are one of McManus’ former clubs and also in the title picture. They sit four points behind the leaders in fourth spot and last time the pair met at Frank Drago Reserve in Round Seven, Gareth Naven’s side hammered Athena 6-1.

“A result like that, especially for our boys, we just don’t accept it. They played better that day and their front three got two each and were on fire, but now it’s time for us to have some pride and hopefully get a good result this weekend,” McManus said.

“We just have to play like we have recently. We’ve been scoring a lot of goals, so to get one early in the game would be perfect and then obviously work hard and keep it tight at the back.

“Having the weekend off was good for the boys to reset, but it’s back to business this week and we’re up for it and ready to go.”

Looking to apply pressure on the coattails of Floreat are Perth RedStar and Stirling Macedonia, who are both three points back in second and third.

RedStar lost three in a row to drop outside of the four temporarily, but back-to-back wins over Armadale and Perth SC have put them back in contention. They play the Azzurri for the second time in a week this Saturday, having won 2-0 last weekend thanks to goals from Chok Dau and Daryl Nicol.

Stirling will try to push the pace against Gwelup Croatia at Macedonia Park. Ian Ferguson’s side suffered a 3-0 defeat to Cockburn City last time out but won three in a row prior to that. Gwelup, meanwhile, remain two points clear of relegation after earning a goalless draw at bottom side Balcatta Etna in last Saturday’s catch-up fixture.

Balcatta are looking to claw their way towards safety and welcome Perth Glory to Grindleford Reserve in search of a first win this season. But it will not be an easy task with the youngsters back in form, following consecutive away wins against Armadale and Perth.

Fifth-placed Inglewood and Sorrento, who are sixth, do battle with a spot in the Top Four Cup the aim for both sides. Armadale and Cockburn City meet at Alfred Skeet Reserve in a repeat of last Sunday’s exhilarating Men’s State Cup Final, which the Cockerels won 3-2 with Daniel Robinson’s stoppage-time penalty. Since then, Cockburn have been to Queensland where they put up a good show before going out of the Australia Cup 3-1 to Brisbane City.

Round 18 fixtures

Saturday (3pm unless stated): Armadale v Cockburn City, Balcatta Etna v Perth Glory, Floreat Athena v Bayswater City, Inglewood United v Sorrento, Stirling Macedonia v Gwelup Croatia, Perth SC v Perth RedStar (5pm).