Author: Craig MacKenzie

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…

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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…

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SOCCER STRIKER Sam Orritt and midfielder Jordan “Kaka” Avraham have agreed terms with Langwarrin. The duo had been trialling at Lawton Park and were called to a meeting with head coach Scott Miller last Tuesday to be told that they were wanted men. That triggered negotiations with Langy president Tanya Wallace but Miller was confident that there would be no hitches in the talks. He was right. “They’ve both bought in to what we’re trying to do here and they’ll both add quality to the squad,” Miller said. “They also bring an intensity to compete which is another positive.” Orritt…

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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…

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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…

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