Murdoch Warriors FC | 2019/2020 Macron SFL WA Preview

A magical spell as the form team in the league hints at what this squad is capable off, blitzing the league for remain undefeated for months after a slow start. That surge held off Footballista to secure finals, where they narrowly fell to a Fonseca inspired Cambio Cumbre side on penalties.

What now for Danial Forbes and his men?

They’re young side have well and truly been blooded this past year. Their youth fuelled, fast paced attacking style perfectly suited to Tang, Basto and Kanani. When they build momentum they take some stopping, as EWA and Stirling cam testify. What are their goals and how far can they go? Last season was about growth, this season you’d back them for silverware.

With an abundance of jet heeled youngsters and the likes of Mauricio de Rocha and Aaron Abreu pushing for SFL from Draft, they have the depth to again lock up a spot in the six. Then you throw in the return of SFL superstar Lucas Mello, and suddenly the sky is the limit. He spurred them on to Gramd Finals in the past, only this time he has Justin Pearce and Danial Forbes to help himself and Sardinian magician Massimo Basolu aim high.

Mello checking in for the opening rounds should avoid the slow start that has had the Warriors playing catch up in the past. With Mello pulling the strings and Forbes playing quarterback from between the sticks, that sets the scene perfectly for their pacey flankers to attack attack attack. Dark horses for the title? We’ll call it, and keep a watchful eye over next wave of JSFL graduates looking to fuel the Murdoch machine.

STAR MAN: Danial Forbes
Even with Lucas Mello returning their number one is still the first name on the team sheet and the name the other teams look out for. We saw it last season. When Forbes plays, Murdoch are a different animal. Speed and counterattacks were their calling card last season but take nothing from their defence, where the big goalkeeper with the cat like reflexes and surgical through ball was at the heart of it. Whether it’s directing traffic from the back or threading the needle to spring attacks Forbes is still their number one in every sense of the word. Time to do it again.

ONE TO WATCH: Justin Pearce
Ultra Tigers hero turned Murdoch Messiah. The barrel chested target with the deft touch proved pivotal as Murdoch chased down and overhauled the would be finalists in SFL. Equally adept at driving at space to carve openings for willing runners or playing with his back to goal, his lung busting runs and rocket shots proved a feature as the Warriors scored big wins against the challengers. In a side with youthful promise to burn, those few experienced heads in Massimo Basolu and Justin Pearce look set to marshal the charge.