SOCCER: Corio raises the bar


A TENACIOUS new coach, an influx of playing recruits and an improved attitude have been hailed for turning around Corio's faltering fortunes.

The club, which only just managed to keep its head above water in Provisional League 1 last year, faces a crunch clash against ladder leader Avondale Heights tomorrow that could see it go top.
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Corio won the pre-season Go For Your Life Cup before embarking of a run of five wins in six matches. The arrival of charismatic coach Kit Greechan has not only sparked the good run of form, it has also changed the club's culture, according to a long-standing member.

"Everything's changed at the club the atmosphere, the players attitude and the preparation for games," secretary Zoli Luczo said.

"You'd have to put it down to Kit. He's a character and has a laugh with the players but is serious when he needs to be. We have a young squad now and it's easier for him to change the habits of young players.

"This match (against Avondale) is pretty much the biggest game for us in the last 10 years. We want to get out of this division. The aim is to get promoted but we want to be greedy and actually win the league now."

Corio's cause has been aided by a summer squad overhaul that has seen high quality arrivals including Juma Wade, Drew Corry and Steve Arthey. Greechan's son, Chris, has also joined in a bid to add much-needed firepower up front.

Greechan senior, who played for Green Gully and coached at Sunshine George Cross under current Melbourne Victory boss Ernie Merrick, puts part of the success down to improved training sessions.

"We've installed confidence in the players through hard work in training there have been no easy nights for them," he said. "There were bad habits there before, but we've added quality players and brought in young players. The team spirit is tremendous and winning helps, of course. We make sure we re-enact the match in every training session so that everyone knows their jobs. Last year, the players did what they wanted. The players and young and are trying to learn."

Greechan said his troops were fired up ahead of the Avondale showdown.

"We'll be going at them from the start," he said. "It won't be easy, don't get me wrong we are the underdog. But I'm quietly confident that Avondale will get a surprise."

http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2010/05/21/175701_geelong_sports.html