Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Chris Simpson

Western Pride coach Graham Harvey is expecting big things from his latest three signings for the PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland season.

The Ipswich-based club has recruited goalkeeper Duncan Short, 28, from Olympic FC and former Brisbane Roar Youth striker Jordan Lambi, 19, for next season.

Pride also confirmed that midfielder Gabriel Hawash, 18, will return for a second year at the club after impressing in his 17 PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland appearances last season.

The trio take the number of announced signings at Pride to eleven for next season and Harvey was confident all three will be important contributors to his side’s push for a top half finish.

Short, who was limited to just two appearances for Olympic FC last season as back-up to former Hyundai A-League goalkeeper Matt Acton, will be the club’s first-choice goalkeeper, replacing Bon Scott who has joined Newcastle Jets Youth.

“We wanted to go with an older keeper with a bit more experience and Duncan certainly fits that bill,” Harvey explained.

“Duncan is working very closely with John Garside, our goalkeeping coach, and John rates him very highly.”

Lambi joins the club after battling injury for the past two years and Harvey said while he has the talent to be part of the starting eleven, he will be cautious in his management of the striker.

“As the season progresses he will do very well. He has got a lot of potential but he has suffered from those injuries over the past two years and I’m hoping he shows people what he is capable of."

“But it will be a slow one with him and I don’t think he will burst onto the scene. He will need to build up to it through pre-season and then into the NPL season.”

Harvey also said Hawash looms as an important player after injury limited his playing time at the end of the 2015 season.

“Last year he was excellent but then got some niggling injuries and struggled to get back into the side, but he’s done well in pre-season and will hopefully kick-on and be the footballer his potential says he can be,” Harvey concluded.