SOCCER FOOTBALL Victoria hopes to get the green light to announce a resumption of training this month with the aim of starting the league season in June. In April Football Federation Australia extended the suspension of all soccer activities until 31 May but that looks likely to be lifted. Last week Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that national cabinet had endorsed the “National Principles for Resumption of Sport and Recreation Activities” developed by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee and the “Framework for Rebooting Sport in a Covid-19 Environment” developed by the Australian Institute of Sport. The AIS document sets…
Author: Craig MacKenzie
SOCCER FOOTBALL Victoria may soon announce a July start to the 2020 season. Last week Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the federal government wanted to get Australians back into recreational sport “as soon as we can” and the national cabinet of state and territory leaders agreed to develop principles for sport and recreation to get consistency across the country. FV and Football Federation Australia would have to sign off on a series of bio-security measures and how they would be monitored but it increasingly looks like training could resume in June with a 22-game season starting in the first weekend…
SOCCER FRANKSTON council looks certain to approve a $1.43 million makeover of Monterey Reserve in next financial year’s budget. This was one of the major capital works projects announced last week in a proposed annual budget posted on the council’s website and inviting community feedback. It’s no secret that Monterey Reserve tenant Frankston Pines and council had been at loggerheads for some time over long-standing plans for a major makeover with the club strongly opposed to important aspects of the project. For reasons the club could never understand the original plans had public toilets at the entrance to the new…
SOCCER MICHAEL Woodward is one of the “invisible men” of local soccer. There are committee members at some clubs who have never heard of him but that’s more a reflection of how football is structured in Victoria than of the man himself. In a wide-ranging interview Football Victoria’s southern zone representative has chosen to share his personal views on the sports’ governance, clubs’ focus on their senior teams, the high cost of player fees especially at NPL junior level and what the prospects are for restarting the 2020 season. Woodward, 59, has a son and daughter that both played soccer…
SOCCER A FOOTBALL Victoria statement issued last week has been met with disbelief and derision by local clubs. At a time when all competition and training is suspended at least until 14 April the state federation has said player registration costs and other fees and charges will continue to be levied. In part the statement said: “Clubs remain obliged to pay any competition administration or registration fee, zone/association fee (if applicable), member federation fee and FFA’s national registration fee (governing body costs) out of the registration fees they collect per participant.” Langwarrin, Mornington and Strikers are the only local clubs…
SOCCER MORNINGTON import Josh Heaton cost Scottish Premier League club St Mirren £75,000 in June 2018. The then 21-year-old became the most expensive signing in 25 years for the Buddies but the following year he joined Darlington on a free. “A lot of it comes down to the manager really and sometimes it just happens that way,” Heaton said. The young central defender is among thousands of players in Britain subject to the vagaries of the professional game and a look at his CV highlights the circuitous route he has taken to arrive at Dallas Brooks Park. Heaton is from…
SOCCER MORNINGTON team manager Tony McKay died early on Sunday morning at the Alfred Hospital. He had collapsed a week earlier prior to a practice match at Dallas Brooks Park against Caroline Springs George Cross which was abandoned. Originally from Manchester in England the 77-year-old has been a much-loved figure at Mornington for decades. Other local clubs have used social media to show their support for Mornington and the McKay family during this difficult time. Mornington’s facebook page summed up the depth of feeling for McKay with these words: “Tony was a pillar of our club and touched the lives…
SOCCER SEAFORD United was the only local club to survive last weekend’s round of FFA Cup matches. The draw for the next round was due to be conducted today (Tuesday) as we went to press. Langwarrin, Mornington, Peninsula Strikers and Skye United all entered this week’s draw so just five local clubs out of 12 who contested Australia’s premier knockout competition in 2020 remain in the hunt for glory. Harry McCartney reports that Seaford had to endure a nerve-racking penalty shootout against visitor Brunswick Zebras on Saturday. The local outfit won that showdown 7-6 after the sides were locked together…
SOCCER SEAFORD United and Chelsea were the only local clubs to survive last weekend’s round of FFA Cup matches. Chelsea defeated Laverton 5-3 on penalties after the sides were locked at 1-1 after 120 minutes. Chelsea’s goal came from last year’s club top scorer Tom Woods seconds before the end of normal time. At North Seaford Reserve on Sunday the home side triumphed 3-0 over Albert Park in a match highlighted by the sending off of Albert Park’s Kyle Maclean in the 22nd minute, a twice saved penalty in the second half by Seaford keeper Justin Holland and the appearance…
SOCCER THE wait is finally over. Four Fijian internationals fly in to Melbourne today (Tuesday) to play for Frankston Pines. Last week the Monterey Reserve outfit received news that visa applications for the quartet had been approved and flights were promptly organised. The recruits are 20-year-old midfielder Savenaca Baledrokadroka, 19-year-old goalkeeper Asaeli Batikasa, 20-year-old defender Peni Tuigulagula and 20-year-old striker Tito Vodowaqa. Baledrokadroka captains Fiji’s under-23s and has also made seven full international appearances for the national team. Pines gaffer Kevin “Squizzy” Taylor has seen Tuigulagula and Vodowaqa in action at the Pacific Cup in New Zealand last year and…
SOCCER ROSEBUD agreed terms with Mark Pagliarulo last week breaking up the most prolific strike partnership in local ranks. Pagliarulo and goalscoring legend Dave Greening powered Somerville Eagles to the State 5 South championship last season but the dynamic duo are no more. Between them they nabbed 49 goals in 2019 as Somerville cruised to the title with a nine-point margin. Both fielded a number of offers recently with Greening deciding to remain at Somerville while “Pags” has flown the nest. Before settling on the switch to Olympic Park the big Scot turned down a lucrative offer to sign for…
SOCCER PLAYER-coach Matty Morris-Thomas believes that Seaford United can challenge for the State 4 South championship this season. He already has agreed terms with experienced midfielder Scott Webster and fellow veteran Shane Tagliaferro has trained and played in a practice match for the local club but Morris-Thomas has four more player targets in his sights and wants to move on them immediately. “Yeah we know who we want and if you come down to training next Thursday you might even see them there but we won’t make any announcements until they’re over the line,” Morris-Thomas said. “Look we had a…
SOCCER LANGWARRIN’S Wallace Cup breakthrough and some major signings by local clubs stole the spotlight last weekend. Langy’s cup success was eight years in the making as the annual event named in honour of the club’s former president had never graced the trophy cabinet at Lawton Park. It does now thanks to penalty shootouts in the semis and final. Langy prevailed in the first semi against State 4 outfit Seaford United but not before its less fancied opponent made life tough for the NPL2 club. Langy triallist keeper James Burgess from Springvale White Eagles saved penalty attempts from Tristan Stass…
SOCCER THERE is increasing doubt about goalscoring legend David Greening remaining at Somerville Eagles. The veteran marksman was due to arrive back in Melbourne from an overseas holiday as we went to press and has declared his unhappiness with what he claims are mixed messages emanating from his club. Two weeks ago new senior coach Billy Rae said that he would like Greening to be a playing assistant coach but that role has also been offered to fellow striker Mark Pagliarulo. “The mixed messages I’ve heard coming out of the club are a worry with different guys being offered the…
SOCCER VETERAN Somerville Eagles striker Mark Pagliarulo and goalkeeper Robbie Acs have clubs clamouring for their services. “Pags” met with Somerville president Luke Mulder, vice president Craig Bozelle and director of football Zach Peddersen on Sunday having previously spoken with new senior coach Billy Rae. It’s understood that the club is keen for him to take on a role as a playing assistant coach. His strike partner David Greening is on an overseas holiday but it’s believed that he too has attracted the attention of other clubs. “Pags” will be a busy man as he was due to meet with…
SOCCER LUCAS Portelli signed with NPL heavyweight Oakleigh Cannons last weekend while Fraser Maclaren could return to former club Beaumaris. Ex-Melbourne City teenager Portelli agreed terms in October for a second season with Langy but attracted the interest of Cannons and played against Melbourne Victory in a practice match on Saturday. Oakleigh won 4-0 and Portelli had a 30-minute hitout. “He’s come under my radar quite a while ago and I wanted to know what the boy was like so we had a meeting with him and his dad and invited him down to a training session,” Cannons boss Chris…
SOCCER SAM Orritt’s trial with Langwarrin ended with a visit to Frankston Hospital last weekend and x-rays confirmed that he’d broken his collarbone. He’d lined up against Melbourne Victory at Lawton Park on Saturday in a friendly that was to play a part in determining whether he would be offered a place in the senior squad. Just 20 minutes later he was given a support bandage for his injured right shoulder and assisted from the arena before Langy president Tanya Wallace drove him to hospital. Orritt will decide shortly whether to pursue a surgical option but it seems likely that…
SOCCER THE fate of Langwarrin triallists Sammy Orritt from Mornington and Jordon “Kaka” Avraham from Peninsula Strikers will be decided after Saturday’s clash with Melbourne Victory. Langy gaffer Scott Miller wants to see how they perform against the third-tier NPL outfit in a friendly that kicks off at 11am at Lawton Park. Another triallist, Strikers forward John Prescott, flew back to England last weekend and won’t return until next month but Miller will make a call on all three after the Victory game. Should he want to sign them it then becomes a matter of agreeing terms. It emerged last…
SOCCER FIVE Fijian internationals could be joining Frankston Pines next season. Pines recently announced a partnership with the Victorian Multicultural Sports Association, a Fijian community group, and VMSA president Victor Kumar was quoted in a recent Fiji Times story announcing that the five players would be heading to Monterey Reserve. Kumar was elected vice-president of Pines at the club’s recent week’s AGM. The players are Ba midfielder Kishan Sami, Nasinu goalkeeper Alzaar Alam, Nasinu midfielder Savenaca Baledrokadroka, Lautoka central defender Muni Shivam Naidu and Nadi striker Tito Vodowaqa. They have all represented Fiji at under-19 and under-23 levels and the…
SOCCER NEWLY promoted Somerville Eagles has been rocked by the resignations of senior coach Scott Morrison, assistant Stan Packer and goalkeeping coach Stuart Mitchell. All three resigned last week due to a difference of opinion with director of football Zach Peddersen over Somerville’s refusal to participate in the 2020 Steve Wallace Memorial Cup. The tournament commemorates the late Langwarrin president who was an icon of the sport in the local area. Peddersen claimed that his club had previously been snubbed by Wallace Cup organisers. “We have never been invited in years and the committee has never received any information or…
SOCCER THANK goodness Lisa Jones likes soccer. Her husband has been immersed in the sport since childhood, their two sons are following in their father’s footsteps, their oldest daughter already has played for Victoria and the matriarch of the family is a team manager at one of this state’s elite women’s clubs. Then there is Mia, the youngest Jones sibling. She doesn’t play soccer. Writing and acting are her passions and like her brothers and sister she is talented in her chosen pursuits. It should come as no surprise that the soccer-playing Jones’ children excel at sport. They were genetically…
SOCCER FRANKSTON Pines is on the verge of the biggest off-field restructure in the club’s history as it closes in on a partnership agreement with the Victorian Multicultural Sports Association. The VMSA is a Fijian community group and hopes to base itself at Monterey Reserve and hold tournaments and functions there on a regular basis. Last week members of the VMSA executive met with Nick Hatzoglou, Football Victoria’s Head of Community Projects and the state federation has given the green light for the partnership to go ahead. “The CEO of Football Victoria (Peter Filopoulos) is aware of our plans and…
SOCCER ANDY Stubley, Keegan Guy and Matt Harrington are wanted men and Mornington is leading the chase to sign them. Stubley and Guy meet with Mornington boss Adam Jamieson this week and are part of an ambitious plan which the progressive State 1 club hopes will take it into the NPL. “Andy is a flying machine who works really hard at both ends of the ground and can go past players like they’re not there so I think he’ll complement us in the way I want us to set up but obviously I need to sign him first,” Jamieson said.…
SOCCER MORNINGTON has joined the chase to sign gun forward Dejan Radojicic from Casey Comets. He has been targeted by Mornington head coach Adam Jamieson who sees Radojicic as the man who could become part of the most lethal strike force in State 1 next season. Radojicic was Comets’ leading scorer last season and rumours of turmoil at Comets Stadium are circulating freely along with suggestions of a high player turnover. English striker Josh Hine recently agreed terms for a second season at Dallas Brooks Park while Scottish striker Liam Baxter agreed terms last week despite being linked with newly…
SOCCER LOYALTY is a word that Skye United gaffer Phil McGuinness uses often when discussing his newly promoted senior squad. “To be honest the main reason we’ve come so far is not down to the committee, not down to me and Stephen (Duffy, assistant coach), it’s down to the players and their loyalty,” McGuinness said. “This group is really, really close knit and anything you put in front of them they grab with both hands. “A lot of our success simply comes down to them. “These guys could all get a lot more to play at other clubs but their…
SOCCER KEVIN “Squizzy” Taylor and Doug Hodgson are locked in a battle to win the services of well-respected technical director Stephen Fisher. They were joined in the contest to lure Fisher by Bentleigh Greens but this was always going to be between Pines and the Doves. Fisher’s son Dylan, a promising teenage player, is at the centre of a tug of war between Taylor and Hodgson who reasoned that the winner would also secure the services of his father, who recently stepped down as Langwarrin TD. Taylor is senior coach at Frankston Pines and Hodgson is the new under-18s coach…
SOCCER DAVID Stirton has left Langwarrin while Josh Hine has agreed terms for a second season at Mornington. Stirton contacted head coach Scott Miller and club president Tanya Wallace last week to inform them of his decision. The 28-year-old was one of the more experienced NPL players on the club’s books having had stints with South Melbourne, Bentleigh Greens, Dandenong City and Port Melbourne and is regarded as one of the best set piece specialists in the competition. “It’s just about game time,” Stirton said, a reference to the number of matches last season in which he failed to make…
SOCCER PENINSULA Strikers announced the lowest junior fees in NPL Victoria history last week and threw down the gauntlet to local rivals Langwarrin and Mornington. Strikers and Mornington recently were granted NPL junior licences and had to stump up $20,000 each for the privilege. Most NPL clubs charge the maximum junior player fee of $2200 for a season. That is the case with Langwarrin while Mornington has set its player fee at $1800. But Strikers have outdone their rivals by charging junior players $1090 to play for the club in the under-13, under-14, under-15 and under-16 elite NPL competition next…
SOCCER SOUTHERN United’s remarkable youngsters stunned odds-on favourite and league champion South Melbourne at Lakeside Stadium on Saturday to claim a place in this weekend’s under-16 NPLW Grand Final. Southern finished the league season 27 points behind South Melbourne who had a superior goal difference of 57. But this Southern group has been one of the NPLW’s success stories having won the title and the Grand Final in 2017 at under-13 level and doubling up on championship success last year but losing 2-1 to Calder United in the under-14 showpiece event. On Saturday South Melbourne went ahead in the 55th…
SOCCER WEE Mikey Turner claimed the goal that sent Skye United into State 2 with a nerve-jangling 1-0 win over Monash Uni at Skye Recreation Reserve on Saturday. Knowing that a win would secure promotion Skye made hard work of it against an opponent that had come to play and make life as difficult as possible for the home side. There have been many times this season that Skye gaffer Phil McGuinness has made effective substitutions and introducing Daniel Attard, Turner then Maxim Avram into the fray in the second half proved effective once more. Attard had an immediate impact…