Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Sam Wood/FNQ FC Heat

FNQ FC Heat midfielder Alex Smith believes this Saturday’s Semi-Final against Olympic FC will be a massive boost for football in Cairns.

The star midfielder, who grew up in the United States before moving to Australia in 2010, said there was a buzz around the city for the game and that the players were set to do the region proud.

Heat earned the right to host the semi-final by finishing the home-and-away season in second place – the highest ever finished for a regional club in the competition.

Smith said he was well aware of the importance of the match to the local community and believes his side can overcome Olympic to book their spot in the Grand Final next weekend.

“The home final is a really big thing for the club and the city and we’re really looking forward to it,” he said.

Smith joined Heat this season after stints in the A-League with Wellington Phoenix and the New South Wales Premier League at Sydney Olympic.

“One of the reasons I came up here was to turn the fortunes of the club around and put it on the map as a place to draw players and within the city,” he said.

“Finishing in second place is a great achievement from the whole team and we’re really proud to represent Cairns.”

Smith added that concept of finals football still remained sightly foreign to him but that experience had taught him to not get distracted by the big matches.

“I’ve found over the years dealing with younger players the more you hype up an occasion the more these young players go into their shell,” he explained.

“If you treat it as just another game it will be better for them and the type of game that they play.”

Smith also said that regardless of the result in the do-or-die clash he remains immensely proud of his teammates’ performances this year.

“Over the space of 24 games we were the second best team in the competition and that means a lot more to me than a one-off semi-final or one-off grand final,” he said.

Heat struggled early in the campaign, with few tipping a finals appearance for the club after big losses to Brisbane Roar Youth and Moreton Bay United in the opening rounds.

Smith cited several reasons for the turnaround in fortunes, but highlighted the contribution of coach Martin Docherty in particular.

“There were a few personnel changes but apart from that there was a change of attitude and change of coach, but you can’t really put it down to one thing.”

“When you change coaches that can go one way, where you keep on going down the same road, or everybody can lift and that is what happened.”

Smith also explained that Heat’s star studded midfield, including mid-season recruit Zenon Caravella, had a massive impact on the season.

“I’ve known Zen for a few years now and we have that little pool of experience in the midfield with Jamie Gosling as well, who’s an ex-pro from England,” he said.

“The three of us in the middle is definitely the most experienced midfield in the competition, so you know they are going to be there behind you and know what they are going to do.”

Heat host Olympic in the second of two elimination semi-finals this Saturday at Barlow Park. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30pm.

The first semi-final will see Palm Beach Sharks host Brisbane Strikers at Mallawa Compex on the Gold Coast. Kick-off in that match is scheduled for 5pm.