The F-League season is over for another year: another roller coaster year for the Boomerangs club, for many of the other players and teams and for futsal in general. What is pleasing though is the stability and incremental improvements being made to the F-League as each season progresses.
Boomerangs FS
2014: A season of competing well, gaining some terrific results; but also, perhaps some losses that could have been wins, that might have made a difference at the end of the season. A top four finish for both teams was a satisfactory accomplishment, but the goal must now be to win championships and to win Grand Finals – and 2014 fell short on both counts for both the men’s and the women’s teams.
For the MEN — a terrific flying start to the season with four straight wins on the two opening away trips to Melbourne and Brisbane (and one at home), including a thrashing of St Albans and a confidence-building early season victory over Vic Vipers. Then the horror stretch of five losses in a row – both at home and away, before winding up the season with three wins, a draw and a single loss from the final five games. Against the other top four contenders the record was mixed. Two losses to Dural, a draw and a loss to the Heat, and split results to the Vipers and Scorpions. These are the games that need to be won to become a championship winning team.
After all was said and done, seven wins, a draw and six losses was (just) enough to secure fourth spot — for the third year running (2013 with eight wins, one draw and five losses and in 2012 eight wins and six losses). The problem with this season though was that this meant a semi final against the rampaging Dural Warriors, a team that scored a massive 87 goals across their 14 games, and conceded a miserly 25 — far less than 45 conceded by next best Vic Vipers. For the record, the Boomerangs scored 68 (4th highest) and conceded 53 (equal third least). And unlike the 2013 finals series, where the semi-final against eventual winners Vic Vipers was a close and highly competitive encounter, the semi final in 2014 was not. Dural flexed their muscles and barnstormed their way into the Grand Final at the expense of the Boomers.
The squad though, developed nicely in 2014, with only one new addition to the 2013 playing group, and a slightly smaller squad of 16 (compared with 19 in 2013). Rookie Ben Basser-Silk did all that was asked of him during the season in his few opportunities to gain court time and experience and looks a real prospect for the future. The back bone of the team though remained Cal Smith, Michael Reeve, Jason O’Dwyer, Glenn Smith, Kristian Collins and Daniel Bennett and protecting the net, veteran Angelo Konstantinou. This core squad was ably backed up by youth players, Jono Ciminelli (who had a breakthrough season), Jake Wilsener, Tom Zeitlhofer and backup keeper Nick van Aalst. Guest appearances were made by ACT representative regulars Robbie Cattanach, Trent Flannigan and Keiran Stroh. And Daniel Fulton also suited up for several appearances after his necessary new-father duties early in the season.
Goal scorers were spread around, but it was Daniel Bennett (16 goals) who came out of the box firing to lead all scorers in the early rounds – including a stunning five goal haul against South Brisbane. Michael Reeve (9 goals) was also on fire early, but injuries to both these players stalled their goal-scoring momentum (and it could be argued, the team’s). Tom Zeitlhofer was the next most prolific with 8 goals and Jason O’Dwyer on 7, with the rest evenly spread.
And finally, for the men, national selection for team captain Cal Smith – a just reward for an outstanding last couple of years in futsal. Additionally Michael Reeve was also invited to train with the Australian Futsalroos (as Jake Wilsener was in 2013). This, is in addition to current Australia shot stopper Angelo Konstantinou and previous national representative Daniel Fulton. It is pleasing to see these Boomerangs players in the mix for National selection. May there be many more!
For the WOMEN — as with the men – season 2014 panned out much like the inaugural season 2013 (although the league was a smaller six teams in 2014, compared with eight in 2013). The team though, was significantly changed from 2013 with several players opting for the new Capital FC team and several others opting not to participate and prioritising their football commitments. This initial shortage of players though, allowed for several Sydney-based players to suit up for the Boomerangs (this also occurred in the men’s 2012 season). The overflow of surplus Sydney based players of F-League standard was due to that city having only two representative teams in the league in 2014, as opposed to the four in 2013. It was fortuitous that the Boomerangs could offer these quality players the opportunity to play in season 2014.
At the end of the regular season though, six wins and four losses was enough to put them in third place and into the relatively easier semi-final. The season started not-so-well for the women though with two losses from their first three games; and with only ten games (home and away to the five other teams), every game was critical. Some solid mid-season form had them winning five from six before losing the final match of the season to South Brisbane at home to relinquish top spot on the table and indeed the Premiership.
Revenge against South Brisbane came soon after in the semi-final where the women played superbly to eliminate the Queensland team from the finals. A Grand Final rematch against the strong Sydney Scorpions outfit saw the Boomerangs women lead for most of the game and almost come away with the silverware. The second half of the match though saw the momentum swing back to the Scorpions to allow them the slenderest of victories 3-2 — which was a much improved result on the previous Grand Final result of 0-6. The players though, recognise that although they put their heart and soul into the match, it may well have been a victory they let slip from their grasp.
An outstanding effort by the Boomerangs women across the two finals, most notably Doris Osman, Nikola Orgill, Georgia Plessas, Maddy Whittall, Hayley Buckingham, Nicole Somi and between the sticks, the flying Chloe Avgoustou and Sophie Rolfe. Others to suit up for the women during the season included Michaela Day, Nadia Nisbet, Clare Munro and Michelle Aurousseau. Taijana Curic also showing real promise in goal before succumbing to injury early in the season.
Top goal scorers for the Boomers women were Doris Osman, Hayley Buckingham and Nikola Orgill all on seven goals for the season, with Georgia Plessas close behind on six. Maddy Whittall needs special mention for two cracking goals in the Grand Final — goals that any of the world’s elite players would have been pleased to have scored.
It would be nice to report on national selections in the women’s futsal sphere, but alas, there is not yet an Australian representative women’s team. However if there was, clearly several of the Boomerangs players would be featuring.
Other teams… In the men’s the Scorpions were the under performers this season based on their highly competitive 2013 – although they were only ousted from the finals on goal difference – with the season’s most improved; East Coast Heat. Dural Warriors again set the benchmark, and Vic Vipers seemed to have lost a little of their bite from last season – but remain a quality team. St Albans remained just out of the top four – a spot they are all too familiar with, and the new teams, Capital FC and South Brisbane, found their rookie seasons tough work.
For the women, again it was Scorpions as the benchmark team… South Brisbane improved from their maiden season in 2013, and could be genuine contenders in 2015. Dural were certainly a much improved unit, and the Victorian representative club still needs a bit of improving to make finals. A promising start also to Capital FC in their first year in the F-League.
The format… The general consensus across the league was that the move to the new home and away format was a success. Rather than playing 2 or 3 games across a weekend once a month (or 5/6 weeks), and having regular games, allowed for a more regular planning and training regime for teams. In addition, having seven home games (and five for the women) allowed for better promotion of the games and improved opportunity to boost crowd attendances. Ideally the home and away format lends itself to two teams in each city, however this may not fit neatly with where the futsal player talent is at present. And ideally also, a return to eight teams in the women’s competition would be preferable (perhaps making it mandatory for all clubs to enter both a men’s teams and a women’s team…. a radical thought perhaps)
The Boomerangs look forward to F-League 2015; but in the meantime, have preparations underway for the NSW State League and ACT Premier Leagues….