WITH the Football Federation Victoria season to kick-off in earnest this weekend, Gavin Staindl takes a look at the prospects of Casey’s top clubs.
@BT Sub Sport News:State League Division Two
CASEY COMETS believe they have found the right mix of youth and experience to succeed in Division Two this season.
After a wayward 2009 campaign, the Comets have signed veteran coach Doug Chisholm for his first appearance at Comets Stadium since he was last on the coaching panel in the side’s sub-division premiership win in 1997.
Meanwhile, Chisholm has not wasted anytime in getting together a side that he hopes will challenge returning powers of the division.
The Comets welcome British arrival Negus Henry as well as Malvern recruit Ferai Wirupira and Jarred Barnes to offset the departures of Chris Patterson, Ben Watson and Christian Morales.
Along with the new recruits, Chisholm expects youngsters Bredan Elmasozski and Dom Baranca to continue building on the promising signs from last season’s performances in the firsts.
Rounding off the list nicely is experienced captain Tony Sunders and the Ciccorelli brothers, Anthony and Stef.
“We are trying to get that balance and the club is giving us the opportunity to blood youngsters, so I’m pretty confident we’ll give the league a shake up,” Chisholm said.
New divisional rival BERWICK CITY looks well equipped to ride the promotion wave.
Coach Joe Carroll says his side doesn’t see itself as the small fish in a big pond, but a fish swimming where it belongs.
Despite venturing into Division Two for the first time in the club’s history, City seems settled and confident.
“We’re not moving out of our depth,” Carroll said.
“I have never felt like we weren’t that good… it is just some of the results (in Division Three) didn’t go our way.”
However, Carroll, who is in his fourth year at the club, recognises the need to adapt to the requirements of a higher level.
“Division Two is a bit quicker than Division Three, so we have signed a few players with a bit of pace,” Carroll said.
Those arrivals include Shane Tartagliaferro (Langwarrin), Alex Torelli (Frankston Pines) – both with Division One experience – and former Easter Lions striker Dalver Jandu.
@BT Sub Sport News:State League Provisional One
With only days two go until the kick-off, most teams are finalising minor details, but after a mass exodus rolled through ENDEAVOUR UNITED last summer, coach Norm Maitland is just focussing on getting a team together.
After Endeavour United was relegated to the second provisional league (their second relegation in three years) last season, many of the players forming the first and reserves team moved on.
“Pretty much the whole of our seconds team left and half of the firsts as well,” said Maitland.
“We had only seven people turn up to our first pre-season training session,” said Maitland.
Despite the drop in numbers, Maitland is still intent on playing Provisional One soccer next season.
“My aim is to get promoted. If we don’t get promoted it won’t be for lack of trying. (The players) have a good attitude and are really enthused.
“We’re going to have a red-hot shot.”
Meanwhile, BERWICK KINGS coach Sasha Cohadzic says his side wants to win more games than it loses, but is not yet ready for a tilt at promotion.
The Kings were relatively quiet during the off-season trading period, giving up only a handful of players and not managing to pick up any new signings, but Cohadzic is being realistic about the situation.
“We have retained the same team from last year and we’re not expecting anything big,” he said.
“We’re not ready to be promoted, we just want to build a strong base.”
Officials from State League Provision One combatant Doveton could not be contacted by the News.
