SOCCER
ANDY McIntyre could become the fourth Mornington player to join Peninsula Strikers in the off-season as the State 2 outfit closes in on the signature of the experienced defender.
Campbell Steedman, Stevie Elliott and Jamie Davidson have already moved from Dallas Brooks Park to Centenary Park.
Liverpool-born McIntyre, 31, joined Langwarrin during the 2014 season and switched to Mornington for the 2019 season.
The promise of better things to come at Strikers was part of the lure of Centenary Park.
“Strikers have a lot of young lads coming through and they said they just need a bit of experience to hold it together especially in the last 10 or 15 minutes of games,” McIntyre said.
“That’s why they wanted me and Steve (Elliott) there.”
Strikers’ joint senior coach Scott Morrison has been tracking McIntyre during the off-season and is keen for both parties to reach agreement.
“I knew Andy would be moving on and he would be a huge addition to Strikers,” Morrison said.
“We’d identified some areas that needed to be strengthened for a chance at promotion next season and Andy ticked the boxes for that and then some.
“He is a warrior on the pitch, a smart footballer, a leader and full of experience which will provide so much for our younger players and his personality and character will slot in perfectly to the change room.”
McIntyre can play on the left or as a central defender and Strikers’ defensive signings open up the possibility of playing with just three at the back.
“Yes it does give us that versatility,” Morrison added.
“Jamie Davidson can also play in multiple positions so we’ve got great flexibility there.”
In NPL2 news Sammy Orritt returns to Lawton Park next season in the colours of Eastern Lions after joining Langwarrin’s rival last week.
While Orritt remains on the cusp of being granted permanent residency Lions offered him one of their visa spots and the ex-Mornington star readily accepted.
“Eastern Lions are a good club, similar to ones I’ve been at before and it was a good fit for me to play in my natural position and continue to play in NPL 2,” Orritt said.
That was a reference to a recent meeting with Lions coach Chris Greechan where using Orritt on the wing was mentioned.
He played at right back for Langwarrin for most of his stay there.
“It will be a little bit strange going back to Langy and being in the away dressing room.
“I’ll be playing against some good mates but I suppose that goes out the window once the games starts as we’re all there to do a job.
“But it will be nice to sit down and have a beer after the game with them.”
Meanwhile local Langwarrin product Bailey Wright made his second Socceroos World Cup finals squad last week when national boss Graham Arnold announced the 26-member group for this month’s finals in Qatar.
Wright was in the squad that represented Australia in Brazil in 2014 but was an unused substitute.
He helped the Socceroos qualify for Russia four years later but was left out of the final World Cup squad when Bert van Marwijk took over from Ange Postecoglou.
Ironically it was playing in a friendly under van Marwijk leading up to the finals that he injured a quad then a subsequent back injury forced him to miss nine months of football.
The Sunderland defender has worked hard to get back on the Socceroos’ radar and the important defensive role he played in overcoming Peru on penalties in the intercontinental play-off in June certainly helped his cause.
Wright started his football journey as a junior at Langwarrin and made his senior debut for the club in 2009 as a 16-year-old.
In State 1 news Craig Davidson is the new reserves coach at Mornington.
Davidson has been technical director of the club’s junior boys NPL program for the past three seasons.
“I’m absolutely rapt with this appointment,” senior coach Adam Jamieson said.
“It really enhances our NPL program and our development pathway.
“What we want to do is bring boys through from that junior program and eventually bring these kids into the seniors.”
Current senior players Damien Peters and Rhys Craigie have re-signed for the coming season.
There has been talk about Josh Hine joining Langwarrin but both clubs have dismissed the rumour and Langy already has filled its three visa spots.
Star striker Hine is holidaying in England and returns to Australia next month.
He has applied for permanent residency.
It’s believed that Mornington wants to bolster its strikeforce and has been looking at a Scottish-based option and an NPL forward.
In State 5 news Sonia Papaluca is the new president of Rosebud.
Her appointment at the club’s AGM last week was announced on its facebook page along with a statement about her aims.
“I am passionate about providing players opportunities to be engaged in a positive environment and to be the better version of themselves,” Papaluca said.
“The vision for the club is for it to be a place that provides a safe and fun environment, where our players and their families feel a sense of belonging and be a part of a club that cares about their outcomes.”
In other news Football Victoria’s deadline for applications from clubs wanting to join State League for the 2023 season is 5pm Thursday 17 November.
Mount Eliza has submitted its application while Seaford United will lodge its application this week.
FV plans to announce the successful candidates by mid-December.
