Having been cruelled by injury in the two previous A-League finals campaigns, Brisbane Roar’s Jack Hingert is looking to make amends for his poor luck this season.
Having been cruelled by injury in two previous A-League finals campaigns, Brisbane Roar-s Jack Hingert is looking to make amends for his poor luck this season.
The young defender watched on from the sideline as the Roar claimed the 2012 grand final after he was injured as a substitute in the semi-final.
His poor luck continued last season when he again fell to injury, this time against Adelaide United in the first week of the finals, which saw him miss the Roar-s semi-final loss against the Wanderers.
Now with a full pre-season under his belt and over 50 A-League appearances to his name, the 22-year-old is aiming for a breakout season in 2013/14.
“The pre-season has gone really well,” said Hingert. “We have all been working really hard and physically I feel close to the best that I have ever felt.
“After a couple of seasons with the club I know what is required of me and after having a good season for the most part last year I am hoping to carry the good form into the year ahead.”
Hingert began to become a regular feature in the Roar-s starting eleven towards the end of last season and is aiming to be one of the first picked in Mike Mulvey-s side each week in the season ahead.
“I started to get a fair bit of game time last season which I think came down to hard work.
“We have some great players in the team that really help you along and also help you to excel on the pitch.
“I am looking forward to being fully fit, being a regular in the starting side throughout the year and do my part to contribute to the club’s success.”
While he was forced out of the Roar-s last grand final victory he knows the feeling of being part of a championship winning side, something he is eager to be a part of once more.
“Once you have tasted what it feels like to be a part of a grand final winning team you will do anything to get that feeling back again.
“I was privileged to have been a part of the 2011/12 side and I know all the boys are keen to get back to the top again this year.”
The English-born stopper moved to Australia when he was 14 and after stints with Crystal Palace-s youth system, League One side Peterborough and Victorian Premier League side Dandenong Thunder, Hingert got a start for the North Queensland Fury.
After two seasons with the club he returned to the Thunder after the Fury folded before Ange Postecoglou was keen to welcome him back to Queensland.
“I was pretty close to signing with Wellington but knew it was going to be a great opportunity with Brisbane.
“I am really happy with the club and my improvement since I came here a couple of years ago.”
While he has impressed at the back since he made his A-League debut for the Fury in 2009 there is still one thing he has not been able to achieve as yet in his fifty plus outings in the competition.
“I am yet to score a goal which I continue to get a lot of stick for from the boys and also from my family.
“I tend to get myself in scoring positions but haven-t put one away just yet.
“I’ve got one in pre-season and feel this year I will get on the scoresheet,” he concluded with a chuckle.
Hingert will get his first opportunity to score that much anticipated goal when the Roar open their 2013/14 campaign against the Wellington Phoenix on October 13.
The side-s home opener will come a week later against Sydney FC on October 19.
