Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Patrick Kearney

PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Under 23 Select coach Grae Piddick says his side’s much-improved performance against Brisbane Roar demonstrates the growing value of the annual fixture.

The Select side were defeated 3-1 at QSAC on Saturday by the three-time Hyundai A-League Champions, however, were certainly not shamed as they belied their relative inexperience to stand toe-to-toe with the Roar for much of the contest.

Piddick said he continues to see plenty of potential in the concept of the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues’ up-and-coming talents coming together to face high quality opposition every season.

“If you can get the best NPL players available and bring them all together then they will always have a chance of doing well against teams like the Roar,” Piddick explained.

“We learned a lot from last year and we need to keep learning to make sure there is value in these matches for both the NPL boys and the teams they are playing against.”

“It was certainly a step-up from last year but I think, like all things in football, it can still be refined and improved.”

Piddick believes there is particular merit in the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Under 23 Select team playing more games, possibly against other Hyundai A-League clubs or Select sides from other Member Federations.

“Playing two or three more games would see the Select team get stronger. These players are selected because they have a good work ethic and the more they train and play together then the more they will obviously improve.”

“For example, having an Under 23 Select from Queensland and playing against the other NPL states like New South Wales or Victoria would be great for the players and the coaches and also the fans.”

“It benefits them to learn from other players and coaches and then apply some of those lessons at their own clubs the following season as well.”

Adding to the theme of improvement, Piddick said he was pleased with the competitiveness of his charges against Roar – which offered a marked contrast to last year’s eight-goal defeat in the corresponding match.

“You’ve got to be happy from a scoreline point of view and for the most part the goals we conceded were actually highly preventable,” Piddick said.

“All-in-all, the Roar had a lot of possession but we did some good things and caused them some problems.”

“With seven minutes to go, until the Roar got their third, it was only 2-1 and so it was a really competitive game from that perspective.”

“The players went out there with a tactical mindset rather than just turning up for a game and that was a big improvement on last year.”

Piddick also noted that the post-match analysis for the Select side is less team orientated than it is at club level, due to the one-off nature of the side.

“We look more individually at each player – identifying where they have done well and what they could improve if they want to be at the highest level,” he explained.

“Of course, this particular team is not going to play again but it’s important they know these things for their club side or if they get an opportunity like this again in the future.”