After avoiding relegation in 2020, the Sunshine Coast Wanderers are intent on being a genuine finals contender in the state league in 2021.
The Buderim-based outfit was in last place on the 13-team ladder halfway through the 26-round competition, before mounting a significant comeback.
They won six of their last 12 games to finish in ninth place, retaining their place in the National Premier League Queensland.
It was a solid result for the newly-promoted team, in their third year of existence.
Coach Paul Arnison said they proved some detractors wrong in 2020 and they’re determined to take a much bigger step next time around.
“The NPL is a tough league and everybody had us down as one the favourites to be relegated, so I thought we did really well, and I want to build on that next season,” he said.
“I don’t want to worry about the bottom end of the table. I want to push for that top six if we can.”
Key recruits
After a promising finish to 2020 and with a string of new signings, there I cause for optimism.
“We’ve brought in some good, experienced players from the local league and from other NPL teams and I’m excited about what the new season is going to bring,” he said.
“We’re still a few players short of where we want to be but with the ones we have from last year and the new ones coming into the squad, I’m excited.”
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Among the newcomers are brothers Chris and Andre Jancevski, who played key roles in Noosa’s success before more recent stints at Peninsula Power and Canberra respectively.
“I’m looking forward to them playing together and obviously they’ll be excited play in the same team as each other,” Arnison said.
Jacob Fulluck (from Nambour Yandina) and Ethan Galbraith (from Caloundra) are expected to boost their goal scoring.
“That’s two big strikers. We’re looking to add firepower to our team,” Arnison said.
The Wanderers averaged 0.58 goals per game in 2020 and Riley Cumberland was their top scorer in 2020, scoring just seven goals.
“So, if you get a goal scorer in your team that can get you 12 to 15 goals a season, it really does help.”
The Wanderers have also also re-signed key players Brodie Boyce, Oliver Duncan and Bailey Wearn.
The season is likely to start in March but the squad won’t start training in earnest until January.
Late start to pre-season
Coach Arnison said he and his players needed a rest after a lengthy 2020 campaign and they would be refreshed for 2021.
“From when we started preseason last year to the season finishing this year it was a full 12 months,” he said.
“The players had a bit of time off (due to COVID-19 restrictions) but they kept doing individual training programs, and then small group training programs and then a big training program once we got back together.”
“I thought they’d need a break as players, and I would need a break as coach as well.”
The players will enjoy about three months off before returning to team training.
But they’re expected to stay fit while the coach works on completing the roster.
“The phone never stops,” he said.
“I’m talking to players and having meetings.”
The Sunshine Coast Wanderers women’s team will also compete in 2021, after the team re-formed following a year’s hiatus. They were 12th of 14 teams in the state league in 2019.
