Words: Michael Flynn

Palm Beach SC’s Roman Hofmann is eager to qualify for the Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32 after missing out on Sharks’ stunning cup run last year.

Sharks line-up against third-tier Sunshine Coast community club Noosa Lions at Mallawa Complex on Saturday night, with the winner progressing as the final Queensland qualifier to the competition’s national stages.

Last year Hofmann was set to feature in Sharks’ Round of 16 match against South Springvale after returning from a stint with Newcastle Jets Youth in the PlayStation® 4 NPL Northern New South Wales competition.

However, he was called back to the Jets Youth squad for the Foxtel National Youth League at the eleventh hour.

Now entrenched as a key member of Sharks 2015 side, Hofmann said he wants to make the most of his second chance to shine on the national stage with his former junior club.

“I came back (to Palm Beach) and played a game against the Roar for their pre-season and I was planning on playing in the FFA Cup,” he explained.

“I was back on the coast for maybe three days and Newcastle gave me a call saying they wanted me back. I tried to negotiate so I could still play for Sharks and come back to Jets a little bit later but they were pretty stern on my coming back earlier.”

Reflecting on Shark’s 2014 run to the Westfield FFA Cup Quarter Finals, Hofmann conceded that he was envious he didn’t get to be part of it.

“Just looking at the success from Palm Beach last year was brilliant. I was jealous that they got to play at CBus Stadium, which would’ve been a fantastic experience,” he said.

“But that gives me a bit of motivation to emulate that success and get Sharks back on the national radar and also myself.”

Hofmann said despite a Hyundai A-League deal not materialising with Jets, he was determined to catch the eye of other top tier clubs as they search for talent via the Westfield FFA Cup.

“Newcastle was a good experience but I had to come back and start again, which is always hard because there is that gap between the state leagues and the A-League.”

“You see a lot of the time that players go from Youth team or A-League contracts back to state league and they drop off the radar and I definitely don’t want that to happen to myself.”

“I’m still pushing to get to the next level again. I will do whatever it takes and FFA Cup is a great opportunity to show to all the other clubs what I am capable of.”

A true utility player, Hofmann has been deployed across the Sharks formation this year - including his most recent start as a 'number 9' against Northern Fury on the weekend where he scored the opening goal in a 3-0 win.

He said his versatility was something he wanted to showcase to any potential Hyundai A-League suitors.

"Throughout the season so far (coach) Grae (Piddick) has played me right back, centre back, six, ten and striker."

"I'm hoping he plays me up front because I got a bit of confidence there on the weekend but wherever he plays me I will do the job for him and hopefully we will get the win and progress."

He added that while he and his teammates are confident they will get the job done against Lions they remain wary of their status as favourites to advance.

“We had a shaky start to the season but we’ve strung a few good games together and that’s given us confidence going into the game,” he said.

“But Grae’s definitely put into our heads that we can’t be too complacent because they have a lot of experience in their team. We’re not going to take them lightly,” he concluded.

Fixture Details:

Westfield FFA Cup Southern Zone Qualifying Round 7
Palm Beach SC v Noosa Lions FC
Mallawa Complex, Gold Coast
Saturday, June 28
Kick-off - 7:30PM