Author: Craig MacKenzie

SOCCER ADAM Jamieson is close to finalising a senior squad which he believes can take Mornington into the NPL. While other local clubs have been announcing new signings in a piecemeal manner Jamieson has quietly gone about the business of overhauling his playing staff and he’s pleased with the outcome. Last week the club took to social media to name the 14 players already secured for next season. “It’s a pretty strong squad on paper but we know what on paper means and until you go out there and do it then it doesn’t mean much,” Jamieson said. He’s known…

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SOCCER LANGWARRIN has successfully fended off overtures from other NPL clubs and has agreed terms with striker John Kuol for a second straight season. And while Mornington looks set to sign Langy striker Liam Baxter it may lose attacking midfielder Sammy Orritt and striker Max Etheridge. Dandenong City was among a number of clubs interested in Kuol but the opportunity of being coached by former Fulham assistant manager and Newcastle Jets head coach Scott Miller was too good to refuse. “It was a no-brainer really,” Kuol said. “I wanted the chance to be coached by someone of Scott’s experience plus…

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SOCCER DANNY Verdun has thrown down the gauntlet to opposition clubs in State 2 South-East declaring that Peninsula Strikers will win the championship next season. Recently appointed as head coach of the Centenary Park club Verdun addressed an audience of mainly current and prospective players last Thursday evening at Strikers’ home ground. Over 70 people attended and listened intently as Verdun told them what he expected from his players. “It doesn’t matter how old you are or your output as a footballer this is all about the attitude you bring to this club,” Verdun said. “If the attitude and hunger…

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SOCCER BAXTER and Frankston Pines have hit the ground running with preparations for next season. Last week Baxter announced that Robert Mathieson was the new assistant to head coach George Hughes while the makeover of the Pines squad by gaffer Kevin “Squizzy” Taylor got underway in earnest. Mathieson played with Mulgrave, Croydon, Springvale City and Dandenong City before joining Langwarrin 27 years ago eventually becoming a long-serving assistant to legendary senior coach Gus Macleod. He spoke to other local clubs before accepting an offer from Baxter gaffer George Hughes. “I get on well with George and we share the same…

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SOCCER ASPENDALE Stingrays have millions of reasons to hope that the Andrews government is re-elected at the upcoming state poll. A proposed four-pitch multipurpose complex with new pavilion and car parking at Kerr Crescent Reserve in Aspendale Gardens would secure the club’s future and provide the springboard for growth envisaged by the current administration. There has been no shortage of good news for the Stingrays recently as Football Victoria named Aspendale the 2018 Club of the Year at a gala luncheon on Friday. Just five clubs from throughout the state made the shortlist for the prestigious award which recognises the…

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