https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/local-sport/townsvilles-mitch-maher-i-cant-just-turn-away-from-it-now/news-story/152b3e07c7abc8df55d536e930ddc658 THERE is no one to push us anymore, Mitch Maher says. Now, “it’s very much on us”. As the coronavirus pandemic disrupts sport, and with that careers, it adds another chapter to the uphill battle to higher honours the Townsville product has fought. North Queensland forfeited its NPL Queensland license so, after a year away from semi-professional football, Maher made the call to move south to Mackay. Such has been the uncertainty around COVID-19, Football Queensland made the decision to extend the postponement of all matches and trainings until June 30. But it is just another obstacle for Maher, the desire has never left. “It sucks we haven’t been able to play … but the season hasn’t been called off completely, there’s a chance to play,” the 21-year-old said.
“Since being back at the NPL level I’ve loved it, I can’t just turn away from it now. “It really is important for us to have the fire in the belly to do well.” With a Woolworths job locked up in Mackay, Maher has no plans at this stage to return to Townsville to ride out the pandemic. The Magpies Crusaders United defender is keeping his skills sharp in anyway he can within the health and self-isolation guidelines — from general fitness work to short-sharp touches with the ball in the confines of his home. While he admits his new side did not start the NPL season “too crash hot”, they had begun to show signs prior to the suspension that things were starting to click. Should the competition be in a position to resume, Maher believes those who make the best use of this period will be the ones equipped to challenge for the title. This was the time where the former MA Olympic star believed the strong would get stronger and the weak would get weaker. “I think our team down here is pretty mentally strong, we all wanted to keep training as a big group but we weren’t allowed,” Maher said. “This won’t be a good thing for us, but we can use it as another pre-season … to build up more fitness and strength and go work on it without having to worry about tactics. “It’s tough we can’t train together, but all of us have stayed in contact – we’re not a bunch of strangers, we’re mates down here. “Everyone has a pretty positive mentality with it all, that’s all you can do I guess.”
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AuthorI covered a vast range of sports and issues in my time with the Bulletin. Archives
June 2020
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