Brilliant Connor Bunce wins player of the tournament honour at National Para Football Championships in Perth

Albany soccer star Connor Bunce has continued his stellar form on the big stage, playing a key role in WA’s National Para Football Championships campaign in Perth last week. Bunce finished as the competition’s player of the tournament, helping guide WA to a runner-up finish following their defeat to New South Wales in the final. WA played teams from Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales and a representative Football Australia squad in the tournament held at the State Football Centre from October 3-8. The 20-year-old Pararoos striker started his campaign in the best possible way, slotting a hat-trick in a 10-0 victory over Queensland. He opened the scores for WA in the third minute, pouncing on an underweighted pass from the Queensland goalkeeper. The Great Southern gun doubled his tally after finishing a terrific solo run with a goal before netting his third late in the second half. WA battled to a one-all draw against NSW later in the afternoon. They continued their hot form with a 5-3 triumph over Victoria last Thursday, Bunce once again showing his class with a thumping finish from outside the box. A crushing 12-0 win over FA Select capped a brilliant second day of action, sending the undefeated squad into a semifinal against Victoria on Friday. It was the hosts that drew first blood, a long ball from one box to the other putting Bunce through on goal, the crafty forward capitalising on his chance to put WA in front. Victoria levelled the scores through Christian Bitsikas after linking up with Kaylan Van Heer to keep his side in the contest. However WA restored their lead almost immediately, Bunce rocketing in his second of the match from a free kick to give WA a 2-1 advantage heading into the break. WA started the second half strong as Bunce’s pressure forced an own goal to make it 3-1. Victoria clawed one back to edge within a goal in the dying minutes of the game but WA held firm to book their ticket to the final. WA fell short in a heavy 8-0 defeat against reigning champions NSW in the final. The former Polonia striker struggled with injury concerns in the decider but bravely returned to the field to see out the game. “It’s great to have the friends and family behind us,” Bunce said. “It helped motivate us and pushed us forward, it wasn’t the result we wanted in the end but there’s always next year where we can push harder. “The ambulance wanted me to stay off the pitch and do some tests but I really wanted to get back on. “I’d do anything to get back on that pitch with the lads, especially in a final.”