Geelong Soccer Club preview

Nick Wade

April 8th, 2010

GEELONG'S squad has a 2008 look about it, with Matteo Goristo, Daniel Ho and James Agius all returning to the club.

After a horror 2009 in which relegation was only narrowly avoided, a repeat of the previous year's promotion push is firmly in Geelong's sights.

The loss of livewire striker Jasmin Ikanovic is a blow, but the recruitment of Troy Hardy to form a new-look forward line with Agius promises plenty of goals. The inventive Goristo and former Young Socceroo Ante Cicak will provide the forward line with ammunition, although the loss of bullish midfielder Chris Belaborova with a season-wrecking knee injury could expose Geelong's soft underbelly.

It will be intriguing to see how Vata Garcia fares in his first season in charge. The former Benfica forward is used to a different culture, and standard, to the one at Geelong and the club will hope he inspires the players rather than let frustration set in.

http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2010/04/08/162241_geelong_sports.html

Geelong Rangers soccer preview

Nick Wade

April 8th, 2010

RANGERS have been vocal over their pride at not paying players, but the downside of this policy has been made evident over the summer.

A lack of top-quality signings has been compounded by a failure to keep hold of several key players, most painfully the forward line of Troy Hardy and James Blackburn.

The loss of Drew Corry will also hurt, although Scott Davidson was convinced to carry on for another season. A glaring lack of experience in the forward positions is a major concern, despite the promising emergence of Ryan Calder and Awsine Sillah. Hopefully, Rangers will emulate their dramatic last-day escape from relegation last year and steer clear of the trap-door in 2010.

http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2010/04/08/162231_geelong_sports.html

North Geelong soccer preview

Nick Wade

April 8th, 2010

FOLLOWING Warriors' promotion charge last year, the club will understandably be on a high going into 2010.

The club appears to have eradicated the inconsistent performances that previously saw it struggle against more limited opponents and no State League 1 team will relish facing the newcomers.

The return of Matthew Demo following a mixed spell at Melbourne Victory is a plus, as is the return of 2008 top scorer Daniel Dragicevic.

Ante Deak is back after a year off and he, along with fellow veterans Mijo Trupkovic and Adrian Cervinski, should have at least one good season left.

Perhaps the best omen for Warriors is coach Vinko Buljubasic's decision to stay at the club. The ambitious Buljubasic has stamped his authority on the team and, should Warriors find the going tough in State League 1, the club will look to him to steer it clear of trouble.

http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2010/04/08/162221_geelong_sports.html

Local soccer season starts full of hope

Nick Wade

April 8th, 2010

AFTER a summer dominated by protracted wrangling over the long-overdue reform of soccer in Geelong, the focus finally turns back to the pitch this weekend as the 2010 season begins.

The sport undoubtedly kicks off its season in better shape than it finished in 2009, with the disbanding of the GRFA in favour of a takeover by the Football Federation of Victoria (FFV).

The move, long supported by local clubs, appears to have dampened down the political infighting that has, at times, dogged the sport. A new spirit of co-operation has taken hold among the clubs.

There remain issues to confront, not least the parlous state of the women's game in Geelong and the vexed topic of player payments. But there is good reason to think that the 2010 season could be a positive one for most clubs.

North Geelong Warriors once again lead the way, with the club's welcome return to State League 1. There is a significant gulf in on-field quality between Warriors and Geelong Rangers, Geelong, Bell Park, Corio and Surf Coast, but there are young emerging players at every local club who will hope to stamp their mark on 2010.

The recent state country championships in Geelong were a visible reminder of the importance of youth development. Several clubs look set to embrace this ethos in 2010, with many teams taking on the look of decent youth set-ups rather than a parade of veterans keeping their spots based on weighty reputations.

http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2010/04/08/162211_geelong_sports.html