Olympic Kingsway head coach David Tough says it is time for WA to change the record in the Australia Cup – starting with his team’s game against Edgeworth Eagles tonight.
It’s a well-worn statistic that in the 10 years since the competition began, the only non-A-League side from the west to reach the last 16 were Sorrento FC in 2017.
It was hoped this year would be different, with the top two in the NPLWA representing the state. However, Perth RedStar are already out, sunk in the rain at Percy Doyle Reserve by Queensland’s Lions FC. Attention now turns to Olympic.
“It’s a massive incentive to get through and follow what Sorrento did,” Tough said.
“I thought RedStar were unlucky. The weather was obviously horrific and with wind against them the whole of the second half against a really good Lions side, it was always going to be difficult.
“But yes, WA should be doing better and we have a massive opportunity.”
Tough says his team could not be better prepared for the task, coming off a 10-day break following their league win at Perth SC a week last Friday.
“We originally wanted to play on the Wednesday when RedStar played, but they pushed us to Tuesday this week. In hindsight, it’s worked out perfectly for us,” he said.
“It’s given us a chance to get a few injured players back like Daniel Walsh, and others like Liam Boland more time to get fitter.
“We’ve also had a chance to watch their games in depth.”
Tough has been impressed with what he has seen from the Northern NSW NPL team and pointed out two players they will have to keep a particular eye on.
“Ryan Feutz, the striker who they signed at the halfway mark from New Zealand, he’s scored 20 goals in 10 games.
“And they’ve got a winger who their commentators say is the best player in the league in 20 years. Seth Clark, he’s a NZ lad as well, a proper winger like an old-fashioned ‘Jinky’ Johnstone or a Pat Nevin. He’s a real danger.
“But we are a good team as well and we’ve so much ability in this team. The difference between this year and any time in the previous three or four is that we have got a lot of ex-pros. Aryn Williams, Joe Knowles, Mitch Oxborrow, Paddy Lowry have been added to the squad. They are leaders. The likes of Mitch and Aryn just drive the team on. They’re very easy to coach, pure winners.
“As well as those who have been in the A-League, we have a lot of young one who can put themselves in the shop window, like Tyler Garner, Josh Samson and Luke Hewings and others with aspirations to play at a higher level.
“Being on the national stage is going to be massive – but we have got to perform. For us to get a victory, we need all of us to be nines out of 10, not sevens and sixes.
“And I think we can. It’s a favourable draw for us in that we are at home, we’ll have a big crowd that will give the players an extra 10-20%.
“We are not going to sit back, we are going to go for it. They played on Saturday and have had to travel so we are going to go at them. It's going to be a great night."
Tonight's match is followed by four big league games for Olympic as they bid for a first top-flight WA title this century. The progress the club has made is not lost on Tough.
He said: “When the board came in eight or nine years ago and they were still in the Amateurs, people would have laughed at them if they said they are playing in the Round of 32. I’ve only been her for four years but when I took over they were fourth bottom of the State League and now we’re top of the NPL, in the State Cup final and the last 32 of the Australia Cup.
“So it’s been a massive few years. It’s brilliant for all the people behind the scenes who put in so much work. It makes everyone in the club very proud.”
Tonight’s tie kicks off at 6.30pm. The club is encouraging fans to pre-purchase tickets, which can be bought HERE.