Fremantle City aim to cap an outstanding turnaround this Saturday by capturing the Men’s State Cup.
Just under 12 months ago, Freo were at the Sam Kerr Football Centre knowing defeat to Joondalup City would see them relegated back to the State League after only two seasons in the top flight. They managed to win the Inter-Divisional Play-Off final 2-1 and maintain their NPL status.
Now they return to the same venue transformed and looking to take down New Balance NPL champions Bayswater City.
Their place in the final is a result of a Hahn Australia Cup run which saw them become only the third Football West club to reach the last 16.
Captain Cameron Edwards, who was in the Freo side that beat Joondalup, appreciates how far the team has travelled – and not just because of that cup adventure which took them to Maitland FC in NSW and South Melbourne.
“We’re really looking forward to it. It’s special getting the chance to play the champions in a big final. And coming from last year, when we were near relegation, we’ve really taken a big leap forward,” he said.
“We’ve really enjoyed our football in the second half of the season and got some decent results and trips away. It would be really cool to top off the year with silverware.”
A major factor in Fremantle’s form is the recruitment of former Socceroos and Perth Glory star Josh Ridson. The midfielder joined in the mid-season transfer window after ending a 16-year A-League career in April.
Head coach Scott Miller, who coached Risdon in Glory’s Youth Team, cannot speak highly enough of the player.
“He has been absolutely fantastic for our team; he loves being involved and his character is infectious. We are delighted he agreed to join,” Miller said.
“He has the same attitude and same drive as he did when he was starting out. You see him, he’s played three World Cup games for Australia, he’s won A-Leagues, and he’s still celebrating a goal like it’s the best thing ever.
“It’s great for our younger players. He shows them how to turn up to training with a smile on your face, ready to put it in. And the more experienced players, too, showing them where they need to be.
“And it’s not just Josh. His wife comes to the club and helps out and his kids love coming down to watch in their Freo tops.”
Fremantle can certainly take heart from their season, including two draws with Bayswater in the league. Nevertheless, they know they have a formidable hurdle to climb on Saturday.
Matt Sparrow’s team retained the league after finishing six points clear of Olympic Kingsway and Perth RedStar.
Next week they begin the defence of the NPL Top Four Cup, before a second tilt at the Australian Championship against some of the best Member Federation teams in the country.
It has been a stellar couple of years for Baysie under former Fremantle head coach Sparrow, reliving the glory days of 2013-2107 when Chris Coyne led them to four league titles in five seasons.
However, they have not won the State Cup since 2014, something captain Luke Palmateer is desperate to put right.
“I think you’ve just got to guard against that idea that you’ve already done the job by winning the league,” the centre-back said.
“Obviously, the boys were really happy last week. We definitely celebrated – I think when you win the league you do have to enjoy it. But it’s realising you can achieve something pretty special if you win this weekend.
“We’ve won the league, but a lot of us haven’t tasted that success in the State Cup, so it would be great to have that on our record.
“But you can’t get too ahead of yourself. Freo are a great side. In fact, their form towards the end of the season is just as good as ours, if not better.”
Palmateer’s respect for their opponents is reciprocated by Miller.
“The thing that’s amazed me about Bayswater is that after the season they had last year, they had a minimal break because of playing in the Australian Championship. Yet they were able to back up and win the league by six points. That’s about standards.
“At least we know if we win tomorrow, we deserve it!”
The Men’s State Cup final is on Saturday 29 August. Kick-off is 4.45pm and it will go to extra-time and possibly penalties if level at full-time.
The game is the third of four finals all of which will be shown live and free on Streamer.com.au
- 10am – Men’s State U18s Cup: Stirling Macedonia v Perth Glory
- 12.15pm – Men’s State Reserves Cup final: Olympic Kingsway v Joondalup City
- 2.30pm – Women’s State Cup final: Perth Azzurri v Balcatta Etna
- 4.45pm – Men’s State Cup final: Fremantle City v Bayswater City
