Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Albert Perez/Moreton Bay United FC

Moreton Bay United’s Scott Stewart will contest his third Grand Final in three years on Sunday - and this time he’s determined to come out on top.

The 24-year-old central defender joined the Jets this year after two seasons in the fourth tier Capital One competition in Brisbane.

Playing for his junior club Mount Gravatt Hawks before switching to Bayside United last season, Stewart twice contested that competition’s end of season deciders but came out on the losing side on both occasions.

He said he was determined to go one better on Sunday against Brisbane Strikers in his first PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland Grand Final.

“I lost the first year (with Mt Gravatt) and then lost the second year (with Bayside United) on penalties,” Stewart explained.

“There’s a lot of motivation to win a final and especially at this level. Hopefully it is third time lucky and we will get out there and win it.”

Stewart said with Jets and Strikers boasting two of the competition’s most miserly defences the Grand Final will be an arm-wrestle from start to finish.

“Both clubs have the best defensive records in the league, so personally I think it’s going to be a game that’s played in the midfield,”

“What it comes down to is our defence playing as we’ve been playing this whole year. Nothing changes and we will come at it as strong as we do every game.”

Stewart is expected to once again be partnered by Alex Henderson in the centre of the Jets’ defensive line and he said their friendship off the pitch is key to their performances on it.

“We bring that onto the field and the communication between us seems to work really well,” Stewart explained.

He also added that home support at Wolter Park will be crucial if the Jets are to claim the Premiership-Championship double.

“The Moreton Bay fans this year have been absolutely brilliant and that encouragement from the sidelines really picks us up on the field.”

“From what I heard there’s going to be a massive crowd on Sunday and every person that comes along to support us is going to help us along.”

Stewart previously played in the Brisbane Premier League with Brisbane City in 2012 before an anterior cruciate ligament injury forced him to rebuild through the lower divisions.

He said having now played across three tiers of senior football, there is no doubt in his mind that PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues football is the highest standard in Queensland.

“Honestly it’s a completely different game. Being in the backline everything needs to be done at a faster pace and at a better quality.”

“It’s a lot easier to progress your skills when you are playing with better players. This year has progressed my skill level significantly and it’s probably the best year of football I have ever had,” he concluded.