Geelong relegation blamed on pre-season
| September 16th, 2011

GEELONG SC coach Petar Stojanovski has blamed poor fitness, off-pitch disruption and lax defending for the clubs relegation, which was sealed earlier this week.

Westgate's 4-1 win over Ballarat Red Devils ensured that Geelong, in second last position on the State League 2 ladder, won't be able to bridge the gap in the last game of the season tomorrow.

The demotion marks a swift return to State League 3 after last season's promotion.

Stojanovski admitted that several factors conspired against his team, one of which being the early change of coach.

For the second season in a row, Geelong's newly-appointed coach didn't last until the end of the year with Vince Ierardo departing his player-coaching role.

Stojanovski took over but had to battle to keep afloat a team that ultimately won just six games all season, conceding a massive 51 goals, the worst in the league.


"It has been a tough year," Stojanovski said.

"Obviously there were changes in the coaching and players have come and gone, so the stability wasn't there.

"I've got to take responsibility as coach, but then so do the players. Unfortunately, we weren't consistent enough and there are good teams in the second division. Simple mistakes get punished.

"I'd like to say the change of coach didn't affect the players, but in some cases maybe it did."

Stojanovski said that fitness was a major issue for his team, with Geelong again going into a campaign after an undercooked preseason.

"There are a lot of good quality players in the squad, but fitness-wise they haven't been up to scratch," he said.

"We brought in players who didn't have a preseason and there's only so much they can do.

"I think we kept one clean sheet all season, so obviously that's very disappointing from a defensive point of view.

"When you leak that many goals, you probably don't deserve to stay in the league.

"Defending has to start from the front and we have let teams score easy goals against us."

Stojanovski said that he was keen to stay on as coach next season but will be meeting with Geelong's committee in the next few weeks to finalise his position.

Bulleen v North Geelong Veneto Social Club Tomorrow, 3pm

THE season has ended on a positive note for Warriors, which appeared to be in for a year of struggle after the opening rounds.

North's experiment of developing young players is reaping rewards, with talent such as hotshot striker Michael Anderson surely destined for a higher level. The goal for the final match of the season will be to sneak into fourth position.

Geelong v Werribee City Stead Park Reserve Tomorrow, 3pm

GEELONG'S stay in State League 2 was all too brief for the Stead Park faithful, which will bid farewell to the team tomorrow afternoon.

The home side faces a tough task to sign off with a win, with Werribee needing just a point to clinch the title.

Hume Utd v Geelong Rangers Laura Douglas Reserve Tomorrow, 3pm

THE 2011 season will mercifully draw to a close for Rangers tomorrow, after a truly humbling year.

Relegation was bad enough, but the team has been routed in recent weeks, with the nadir coming during an 11-1 belting at the hands of Keilor Park last week.

Laverton Park v Corio Laverton Park Reserve Tomorrow, 3pm

FOR the second year in a row, Corio will be wondering what could have been during its final day match.

Promotion seemed well within its grasp until a late collapse, but the club can at least sign off on a positive note by following up last weeks derby victory with another three points.

Surf Coast v North City Quay Reserve Tomorrow, 3pm

SURF Coast needs a win to ensure its survival in Provisional League 1, but results will have to go horribly against the Torquay team for it to go down.

Fortunately, Surf Coast will be playing North City Lions, a side with little to play for other than pride.

Bell Park v W Preston Bell Park Sports Club Tomorrow, 3pm

BELL Park will round off a mixed season against West Preston tomorrow.

Earlier this season, Bell Park pulled a shock 4-1 win against West Preston, which is currently in second position and in the frame for promotion.

http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2011/09/16/279621_local_sports.html