A Grand Final win last season and now leading the race for the golden boot, Lions FC striker Alex Fiechtner is in red-hot form. And it doesn't look like he will be slowing down anytime soon.
The 23-year-old leads the goal-scoring charts in the 2022 NPL Queensland Men's competition with 13 goals in nine matches.
For Fiechtner, this form has been coming after he already scored 14 goals in 25 matches last season and won the 2021 NPL Queensland Men's Grand Final.
FPF recently spoke to Fiechtner to discuss his playing history, his time at Lions FC, and his future ambitions.
"My dad had a rugby league background, but he didn't want me to get into that, so he sent me to play football in U6s," Fiechtner said.
"It wasn't until I took part in many tournaments in U11s and U12s that I decided to take football more seriously.
"I started at Grange Thistle Football Club, and then from U11s, I spent almost eleven years at Brisbane City, before I moved to Lions FC in 2021."
Fiechtner's pace is one of his most touted attributes, and he uses it as an advantage against defenders.
"I would say my biggest strength is my speed," Fiechtner said.
"I love getting in behind defenders and breaking the opposition's defensive line. I also love to cross the ball in the box, so those are my biggest assets."
Fiechtner joined NPL Queensland giants Lions FC in 2021, with the striker having no second thoughts about joining the Orange and Blue.
"I didn't have any doubts when I received an offer from [Lions FC]," Fiechtner continued.
"It's a club with such a big history and a lot of success, and they had Warren Moon as their manager for some time as well, who is now at Brisbane Roar.
"They've produced a lot of talent throughout the years, and it's a very big community club. Everyone was very welcoming to me even before I joined."
In the 2021 season, Lions FC won the NPL QLD Grand Final, defeating rivals Olympic FC 3-1, with Fiechtner scoring twice to help the Lions win silverware.
"The 2021 season was the best I've ever played in senior football," Fiechtner said.
"I played the most games in one season during the 2021 campaign, so it was my best season by far.
"It wasn't only my best in scoring goals but all attributes and how I contributed to the team which helped the club win the 2021 Grand Final.
"The 2021 Grand Final [against Olympic] was the best game I have ever been involved in. The atmosphere was awesome; there were a lot of people there. I knew a lot of people on a personal level who went there, and I loved playing every second of it. It capped off a great season for me."
Darren Sime is the current manager of Lions FC, and Sime's experience is something that Fiechtner significantly benefits from weekly.
"He's the best manager I've ever had," Fiechtner said.
"Darren does a lot of one-on-one chats with me; he also knows how to build a strong team and core group of players.
"He's very easy to talk to and brings the best out of his playing group. He lets you know what your weaknesses are and which areas you can improve on."
In October last year, Lions FC hosted A-League Men side Brisbane Roar in the Australia Cup. Unfortunately for the Lions, they went down 4-0, but Fiechtner took in plenty of positives from the match.
"It was a very good test," he said.
"It was extremely hot that day, and we did struggle physically. But it was a great spectacle. I would love to play in front of a crowd like that more often and against players of that pedigree too."
In the 2022 NPL QLD season, Fiechtner is just one goal away from equalling his goal tally from last season.
His influence up top has helped Lions FC sit five points clear at the top of the ladder, with Fiechtner stating that he is in the best form of his career.
"I've never felt this good before," he added.
"I've changed a few things in how I've played, especially on a physical level. But more importantly, I've got some great players around me.
"They're probably the best playing group I've played around, and they make it much easier for me to do my job.
"We have Jean Carlos Solórzano in the team as well. He's pretty quiet, but he says bits and pieces that are very helpful. Having someone with that pedigree in the team is awesome for the playing group."
Tonight, Lions FC travel to Peninsula Power, with Fiechtner well aware of the threat the home side pose.
"They're a good team; they're always well-drilled," Fiechtner said.
"They've been the Premiers for the last two seasons, so they're very competitive. It's at their home ground where they have a good record, so we've got to find ways to exploit them come game day."
Queensland's only professional football club, Brisbane Roar, invests heavily in NPL players. Warren Moon is also a manager who loves to give young players a chance.
A professional contract with Brisbane Roar in a professional setup is something Fiechtner would love to be a part of in the future.
"I've always looked at the A-League as a goal I want to achieve," Fiechtner said.
"I have to keep doing what I do at the moment, and hopefully, one day get to that level.
"I just have to keep giving myself more exposure and keep playing as best as I can."
Lions FC travels to Peninsula Power tonight, with kick-off at 7:30pm AEST.
For more exclusive interviews with some of the brightest talents coming out of the NPL, click here.
Commenti