Words: Callum Dick & Michael Flynn
Image: Chris Simpson

Western Pride’s three PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Under 23 All-Stars see their combinations translating well to QSAC on Saturday night against Brisbane Roar.

The PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Under 23 All-Stars will face the three-time Hyundai A-League Champions this Saturday at QSAC in a curtain raiser to the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Finals Series clash between Moreton Bay United and Edgeworth Eagles.

Pride captain Jesse Rigby as well as fellow midfielder Joe Duckworth and striker Harrison Sawyer - all recently confirmed as re-signings by Pride for the 2016 campaign -  were selected for the squad via an online vote.

Rigby said his familiarity with Duckworth in the central third can only be a positive for the All-Stars against Roar’s stable of stars.

“I think it definitely helps to have Joe there with me, and hopefully with Harry (Sawyer) as well we can show them what we’ve got,” he said.

“I’ve never played against an opposition of that level, so it will be interesting to see just how far the bridge is between the NPL and the A-League, and to test myself to see where I’m at.”

Duckworth, who started all but two games in his debut PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland season, is eager to continue his burgeoning as a distributor for Sawyer.

"I think he’s an amazing talent, he’s very easy to play with and one of the young stars of our league," Duckworth said.

"It’s very helpful for me because I know where he’ll be making his runs and when he needs the ball, and then he does the rest really. He’s fast, strong, big and clinical and a handful for any defenders."

Despite their performances catching the eye of many of the competition's more devoted followers, Duckworth conceded he wasn't confident of being selected in the All-Stars team.

“I was a little surprised to even be nominated let alone to make the team,” Duckworth said.

“We are quite a young side so it could have been any one of our players who was selected, it’s pretty humbling.”

Sawyer, who delivered seven goals in 21 appearances to top the club’s scoring charts in 2015, paid tribute to his coaches as a big reason for the trio’s selection in the All-Star squad, adding the decision to re-sign for 2016 was an easy one to make.

“For the club to take us on as young players into the 2015 season it helped to develop our game a lot, first under Karl (Dodd) and then Graham (Harvey).”

“I want to continue to improve in 2016 and repay the faith they have shown me,” he concluded.

The PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Under 23 All-Stars are proudly sponsored by Soccer World.

Match Details:

PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Under 23 All-Stars vs Brisbane Roar FC
Saturday, 19 September
Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre (QSAC), Brisbane
Kick-off at 4:30PM

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Elimination Final
Moreton Bay United FC v Edgeworth Eagles FC
Saturday, 19 September 2015
QSAC, Brisbane
Kick-off at 7:30PM

Gates Open at 3:30PM

Admission: $10 Adults, $5 Concesssion, Under 5's FREE, FFA Registered Players Under 16 FREE

Both matches will be LIVE streamed at www.nplqld.com.au