Words: Michael Flynn

Northern Fury coach Ian Ferguson says his side’s fitness will be a concern ahead of their pre-season opener against FNQ Heat on Saturday in Townsville.

The match is the first pre-season friendly for both Fury and Heat – who boast one of the most strongly contested rivalries in the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues competition.

Fury are looking to build on their copmetitive eight placed finish last season and also aiming to better their all-time best return of 32 points in 2013 under inaugural player-coach Gareth Edds.

However, Ferguson said a staggered start to pre-season training for many members of his squad means there is plenty of work to be done ahead of their regular season opener in late February.

“We’re travelling okay but I’d like them to a be a wee bit fitter than they are at this point,” Ferguson said.

He explained Fury’s club policy of not paying players is a unique challenge compared to many of their league rivals during the pre-season period.

“Because we are an amateur side everybody’s been coming in at different times. Trying to get that consistency where we have most of the players in doing most the pre-season is pretty difficult.”

He added, “It’s very inconsistent at the moment and very frustrating because, when you have some players that are fit and been there the whole time and others that are not fit, it does bring the sessions down a little bit because you can’t maintain the same levels.”

“But we have brought new players in and we don’t pay money for players, so the biggest thing is that they acutally turn up and play for the love of the game.”

Fury have been tightlipped about their squad throughout pre-season but Ferguson revealed two new local recruits that are part of his 2016 squad.

Versatile midfielder Jae Eurell, who played in the former Queensland State League with North Queensland Razorbacks, and fullback Thomas Pearce both join the club from North Queensland Premier League outfit Brothers Townsville.

Ferguson explained there is no nefarious motivate for Fury remaining tight-lipped about their signings during the off-season.

“It’s just the reality of the situation. We don’t mean to do anything that makes other people think we are being sneaky or anything – it’s just reality.”

“I won’t really find out my squad until around about now or early February and that’s the way it has always been since I’ve been here," he concluded.

Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday, January 30
Northern Fury FC v FNQ FC Heat
Brolga Park, Townsville
Kick-off at 4:00PM