Stewart Buzzing For Wolter Park Return
Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Albert Perez
Re-signed Moreton Bay United defender Scott Stewart says he can’t wait to return to the scene of last year’s PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland triumph on Saturday in the club’s first friendly match of 2016.
The Jets host Brisbane Premier League outfit Mitchelton FC at their Wolter Park home ground as their title defence preparations continue.
It’s the first time the club has played a match at the venue where they defeated Brisbane Strikers 2-1 in September last year to claim the mantle of PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Champions.
Stewart, 25, started all 23 contested matches of Jets league-winning 2015 campaign, and said it will be a special feeling stepping back on to the pitch.
“On Tuesday night I went back (to Wolter Park) for the first time since the Grand Final and even at training you get those memories flooding back – I got butterflies just walking onto the pitch,” he explained.
A late returnee to the club after spending part of the off-season overseas, Stewart conceded he was unsure how his fitness will hold against Mitchelton FC.
“I’ve only had a few sessions back, so we’ll have to wait and see whether I can make the full 90 minutes.”
He said despite plenty of changes at Jets during the off-season the club is determined not to rest on their laurels in 2016.
“We had such a great season last year and we have lost a fair bit of the team but I’m back there because it’s a great club to be at.”
“We’re trying to back-up what we proved last year and keep this club going in the same direction.”
However, Stewart suggested it may be a tougher task in 2016 with rival clubs recruited strongly in an attempt to reel in the Jets.
“Last year there wasn’t one bad team in the competition but this year is going to be very strong because strong players are moving around and good players from the BPL are coming into the league.”
Jets will follow the match against Mitchelton FC with another friendly on Tuesday against North Pine SC prior to commencing the pre-season Macron Cup tournament.
A summary of all the pre-season action for PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Men’s teams is available in the Pre-Season Hub - http://bit.ly/1Jospth
Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday, January 16
Moreton Bay United FC v Mitchelton FC
Wolter Park, Moreton Bay
Kick-off at 6:00PM
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