Stronger than last year

Sean Lewis shoots against The Gap last season. This year he believes
ACE will face bigger challenges.

ACE captain Sean Lewis believes the defending Brisbane Premier League champions could face a succession of ‘grand finals’ this season.

Starting his second year at ACE, the central defender also reckons it will be ‘harder to win the title second time round’.

The first test comes on Saturday when last season’s Capital League 1 champions Caboolture visit Wolter Park, kick-off 5pm.

“Every opponent could be coming out like it’s their grand final,” said Lewis. “they know what you did last season, it’ll be no surprise to them.

“I think it will be harder to win the title second time round, but we have a pretty good team this year. A team which I believe 100 per cent is stronger than last year.

“It’s not just the players who have been brought in, but this is (coach) Steve’s (Glockner) second year here.

“His second year getting players together, working on a long-term strategy going forward and we have five, six, seven guys returning so I think it is an easier transition.

“Our style will be a bit different, I would say, this season. Equally as exciting, I would say, and hopefully bring another premiership.”

While the fixture list may look lopsided, with four successive home fixtures, Lewis reckons is gives ACE a good opportunity.

“This bunch of home games we need to use to our advantage,” he said, “Wolter Park is one of the best facilities in the BPL, so let’s make the most of it at the beginning of the season.”

ACE fans can also expect a heavy focus on the Canale Cup this season.

“It’s definitely on our list of targets this year,” said Lewis, “we’ve spoken about it, a good cup run and doing a double would be good.”

The 2019 FFA Cup South East Queensland Round Two draw was made on Wednesday with ACE drawn at home to Capital League 2 side Oxley United – date and kick-off to be announced.

ACE fixtures

Rd1: February 23 (Saturday) – ACE v Caboolture, kick-off 5pm

Rd2: March 2 (Saturday) – ACE v Taringa, kick-off 6pm

Rd3: March 9 (Saturday) – ACE v Bayside, kick-off 8pm

Rd4: March 16 (Saturday) – ACE v Acacia Ridge, kick-off 6pm

Rd5: March 23 (Saturday) – UQ v ACE, kick-off 5pm

Rd6: March 30 (Saturday) – ACE v Centenary Stormers, kick-off 6pm

Rd7: April 6 (Saturday) – Grange v ACE, kick-off 5.30pm

Rd8: April 26 (Friday) – ACE v The Gap, kick-off 8.30pm

Rd9: May 5 (Sunday) – Brisbane Knights v ACE, kick-off 6pm

Rd10: May 11 (Saturday) – ACE v North Pine, kick-off 6pm

Rd11: May 18 (Saturday) – Toowong v ACE, kick-off 7pm