SOCCER
RYAN Woolf and Patrick Briggs were announced as new signings by local State 2 and State 4 clubs respectively last week.
Both have been plucked from State 5 competition last year with Woolf winning Pakenham United’s best and fairest while Briggs was an ever-present in East Bentleigh’s State 5 East championship-winning side.
Woolf has joined Peninsula Strikers while Briggs has switched to Chelsea.
Strikers’ joint coaches Ross Wallis and Stephen Duffy have been forced to rebuild the senior squad after an exodus of players following the resignation of head coach Scott Morrison.
Strikers have flirted with promotion for the past few seasons but player losses this pre-season have been huge.
Faraz Zenoozi, Kyron Kerr, Jamie Davidson, Stevie Elliott, Jaiden Madafferi, Ethan Goulding, Joel Bowen, Campbell Steedman, Sam Maggs, Tom Wood, Cooper Andrews, Bailey Head and Jordy May have either joined other clubs, are training with other clubs, or stopped playing.
Woolf, who plays as a central defender or right back, has a second-to-none chance to cement his spot in the new line-up and it’s one he intends to grab with both hands.
“Yes there’s a huge hole to fill and we need to bring that chemistry together quickly,” Woolf said.
Injury has played a significant part in the teenager’s career to date.
Ankle ligaments, an MCL tear, rib and groin injuries and problems with hip flexors and hamstrings have been part of his journey to Centenary Park but under the astute supervision of strength and conditioning guru Kosta Drak he’s confident that his body will be stronger than ever when the opening to the league season comes around.
Woolf won Pakenham’s best and fairest last season in remarkable circumstances.
“I’ve learnt a lot through injuries and last season I had to manage a persistent groin problem by having cortisone injections to stop the pain down my right side.
“I only played 13 games then a knee injury ended my season.”
Woolf’s football journey started off as a five-year-old at Casey Comets.
When he was 11 he trialled successfully with Dandenong City and played in the club’s under-12 NPL boys’ side.
Woolf chalked up nearly 200 games with the Croatian-backed club as he rose through the age groups eventually playing in the under-18s under Dean Alburey.
Woolf captained each under-age side he played with during his last four seasons at Dandenong before injury sidelined him.
When Woolf was ready to play again (after COVID and injury recovery) Alburey had moved to Pakenham and was quick to sign up his former captain.
Woolf’s switch to Strikers was facilitated by a family contact who recommended him to Duffy.
“Stephen invited me down before pre-season started and I’d heard good things about him as a coach and as a person so I went down there and ended up signing a few weeks later.”
Woolf didn’t play in Sunday’s friendly against Kingston under-23s which Strikers won 7-2 but should be available for matchplay soon.
Kingston turned up with a makeshift squad propped up by juniors and had its keeper sent off in the first half so Strikers lent one of their keepers to the visitors.
Strikers’ goals were scored by Matt Harrington (2), Riley Anderton, Laiq Haidary, Ali Noor, Jerome Valadon and Hayden Schreck.
In State 4 South-East Briggs became the fourth addition to Gus Macleod’s Chelsea squad with last week’s announcement.
He follows the signings of Victor Cruz De Faria (from Monash University), Michael Swinnerton (Collingwood City) and Marcus Anastasiou (Somerville Eagles).
There have been losses though.
It’s likely that Adam Bartosy may step away from the game this year while Matthew O’Neill is trying out with an NPL under-23 side.
“I haven’t fully finalised my decision but I’ve got another job in the sporting industry that is the same days and nights as soccer which is frustrating,” Bartosy said.
“However that’s my career path and unfortunately I have to make a decision at some point.
“It’s only for this year so who knows what the future holds.”
Bartosy has been appointed Head of High Performance for the under-16 boys’ and girls’ program at Sandringham Dragons Football Club and head trainer for the Dragons.
Briggs started playing with Mornington’s sub-juniors but broke his leg as a nine-year-old.
When he returned he played at Mount Eliza then joined Bentleigh Greens at under-14 level before switching to Oakleigh under-16s.
His next move was to South Springvale where the then teenager made his senior debut.
“I’ve had a long history with a persistent groin injury but the last couple of seasons I’ve played the most games since turning 16 so I think I’ve got over it now,” Briggs said.
“I lost my passion for the game because my body was letting me down so much but I’ve learned to manage the groin problem with three gym sessions a week and I’m much more in control of it now.”
Briggs plays wide left and last season made 21 appearances for East Bentleigh.
Despite winning the title by a five-point margin there was no promotion – one of the quirks of Football Victoria’s leagues restructure – but Briggs wasn’t fazed.
“Look it was tough but we achieved what we set out to achieve and we had the best group of guys –people that I’d played with at Oakleigh, Bentleigh and South Springvale matched into one team so the chemistry was there from the start.
“Just to have that memory for everyone to look back on means a lot and winning the league was still special for us.”
Having his coach Evan Pagoulatos switch to Bentleigh United Cobras and a lack of enthusiasm for travelling to and from his Mount Eliza base to East Bentleigh prompted Briggs’ move to the royal blues.
So did his close friendship with Chelsea midfielder Ryan Scott.
“Ryan asked me to come down and have a few sessions before Christmas and when they offered me a spot I decided to sign.
“From what I’ve seen so far there are some really good players there so hopefully we can enjoy playing together and be successful.
“I know the club has ambitions and I’d like to think we can challenge for the title.”
Still in State 4 Baxter released its pre-season schedule last week.
On Saturday 7 February v. Rowville Eagles, Baxter Park, 1pm and 3pm; Saturday 14 February v. Mount Eliza, Baxter Park, 1pm and 3pm; Saturday 21 February v. Seaford Utd, Baxter Park, 1pm and 3pm; Saturday 28 February v. White Star Dandenong, Baxter Park, 1pm and 3pm; Saturday 7 March v. Casey Panthers, Baxter Park, 1pm and 3pm.
In State 1 South-East news Mornington released its pre-season friendlies schedule last week.
On Saturday 24 January v. Eastern Lions, Gardiner’s Creek Reserve, 10am; Wednesday 4 February v. Springvale White Eagles, Serbian Sports Centre, 7.30pm; Saturday 21 February v. Ballarat, Trekardo Park, 3pm; Friday 27 February v. Knox City, Egan Lee Reserve, 7.30pm; Friday 6 March v. Sydenham Park, Keilor Lodge Reserve, 7.30pm; Tuesday 10 March, v. Berwick City, Jack Thomas Reserve, 7pm.
In State 5 South-East news Seaford United released its pre-season friendlies schedule last week:
On Thursday 22 January v. Skye Utd, 7.30pm; Saturday 31 January Wallace Plate; Saturday 7 February Pakenham Cup; Saturday 21 February v. Baxter, Baxter Park, 1pm and 3pm.
Finally Frankston Pines hosts the Billy Baldwin Memorial Day on Saturday with games starting at 11am and full bar and canteen facilities available.
Pines also released its pre-season schedule last week:
On Saturday 7 February v. Rosebud, Monterey Reserve, 4pm and 6pm; Saturday 21 February v. Somerville Eagles, Monterey Reserve, 4pm and 6pm Saturday 4 March v. Lyndale Utd, Monterey Reserve, 4pm and 6pm; Saturday 14 March v. Ashburton Utd, Monterey Reserve, 4pm and 6pm.