Moreton Bay United captain Royce Brownlie has declared he has no intention of making the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Finals Series his swansong.
The Jets will face Northern New South Wales outfit Edgeworth Eagles in an Elimination Final this Saturday night at QSAC, with success in the end-of-season Finals Series guaranteeing a place in next year’s Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32.
Jets go into the match on the back of their most successful season to date - winning both the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Premiership and last weekend’s Grand Final.
However, Brownlie, who at 35-years-old is the oldest player in PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland, asserted that despite what some might see as a temptation to go out on top he is not contemplating retirement just yet.
“I said to myself that as long as I am fit and I am still able to play I want to keep playing. I enjoy it, I’m very competitive and I haven’t lost that edge yet,” Brownlie said.
“I take every game as if it is my last and I want to do better and prove to everyone, including myself and even my kids, that if you push yourself and work hard that you can keep going.”
“So if I’m as good as I feel now then I will keep going.”
Brownlie’s high-profile 18-year playing career has seen him play in England as well as in the former National Soccer League and Hyundai A-League.
He is also the all-time leading goalscorer in PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland - delivering a stunning haul of 64 goals in 65 league appearances over three seasons.
However, he said winning the Premiership-Championship double this year with Jets ranks highly amidst a career littered with personal achievements.
“It’s definitely up there. It’s a brand new club and what we have achieved in a short time is huge.”
With the club conquering Queensland competition this year, he said the next step was to further the club’s reputation on the national stage in the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Final Series.
“If we can do well and make a name for the club then it will start the history ball rolling and it is going to be something the club can draw on for years to come,” he explained.
“It’s a milestone and for these young guys it will put them on the big stage.”
“People are going to be watching and want to see who is doing well and they have a chance to be snatched and go on to bigger and better things.”
Despite the match against Eagles being played across town from their regular Wolter Park home ground, Brownlie said he had no doubt that the Jets’ faithful will be out in numbers to support the club.
“We have a good group of supporters and they seem to to travel wherever they can - we even had them in Cairns and in Townsville.”
“It’s full credit to the club because they push it and promote it through all their juniors. They cancel training if it’s a really big game and get everyone to attend, so it’s a really good club for that,” he concluded.
The match against Eagles will be preceded by a curtain raiser between the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Under 23 All-Stars and three-time Hyundai A-League Champions Brisbane Roar.
Match Details:
PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Under 23 All-Stars vs Brisbane Roar FC
Saturday, 19 September
Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre (QSAC), Brisbane
Kick-off at 4:30PM
PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Elimination Final
Moreton Bay United FC v Edgeworth Eagles FC
Saturday, 19 September 2015
QSAC, Brisbane
Kick-off at 7:30PM
Gates Open at 3:30PM
Admission: $10 Adults, $5 Concesssion, Under 5's FREE, FFA Registered Players Under 16 FREE
Both matches will be LIVE streamed at www.nplqld.com.au