THE man behind Brookvale’s early success in the men’s MWFA Premier League is happy to stay in the background.
Mark Hunt, assistant to Simon Euers in 2017 and 2018, took over as head coach in the off-season, and the transition under his leadership at Graham Reserve has been seamless.
“Simon couldn’t commit this year due to work, so I decided to have a crack,” the unassuming Englishman said this week.
“I’m really enjoying it, we have adopted a squad mentality from day one and the boys have bought into that process.
“So far (in the league) results have followed, but we aren’t getting carried away, titles aren’t won in May.”
The Blues started 2019 slowly, bundled out of the MWFA Challenge Cup against CC Strikers in the first round before also suffering an early exit in the FFA Cup versus Camden.
But when it comes to the MWFA Premier League, Brookie have been on fire, winning five matches on the bounce.
Their last two outings have been ultra impressive – 6-0 against CC Strikers and 6-1 versus St Augustine’s.
“To be honest a few things have gone our way at key moments in some games, we just have to keep stepping up each week,” he said.
“These guys know what they want to achieve, motivation isn’t an issue.”
Hunt also revealed he has heard all the whispers that his squad has been bought.
“You hear things around the traps, we aren’t too worried about outside noise,” he said.
“The players, old and new, came to this club because they wanted to. They also know they have to perform each week to stay in the starting XI, no one is a walk up start and that’s how it should be.”
Hunt nominated Wakehurst, Dee Why, Pittwater RSL FC and Curl Curl as Brookie’s main title threats over the next few months.
This Saturday the Blues host the Tigers in a top of the table clash from 3pm.
And if you manage to get down to Graham Reserve watch Hunt closely – he doesn’t rant and rave from the sideline, the former junior coach at Manly United encourages his team to enjoy their football.
So far it has proven to be a winning formula.
