Season Preview – AA1’s
AA1
Following last year’s triumphant AA2s League and Grand Final double, coach Wes Fagan and his side now face the tough task of stepping up to AA1s level.
Preseason has brought about significant upheaval for the squad with a number of key players from last season AA2’s title winning side departing.
After months of uncertainty and serious tanning, skipper Neil Edward Skilling’s ended speculation about his future and joined up with the Prem’s, citing irreconcilable differences with the Hitchcock twins as the main reason behind his departure. Midfield dynamo and part time Irishman Ady Lloyd replaces Skilling’s as the team’s new captain.
Defender Russ Hoad was also coaxed into AA6s football by manager Ali Pavey and prolific striker and Fagan’s translator Niall Daly headed home back to Ireland.
Other notable absentees include Gary ‘Sniko’ Nickson, who at the age of 52 called time on his illustrious Dunbar career, which served up some memorable moments but sadly no goals. Italian Alex Scheider also departed after being left traumatised by Nick Sargent’s antics on the end of season tour.
Finally, Goalkeeper and world class moaner Bennessey decided to reinvent himself as a holding midfielder for the AA7s, where he now insists on taking all corners, free kicks and throw-ins.
Wes had his work cut out to find replacements and took his wheeling and dealing far and wide. After being rebuffed by former Aussie duo Ian Biship and Robbie Slator he decided to settle on the current crop of newcomers. Fraser and Luke are the two sole survivors from the previous AA1s team and will add much needed experience of AA1s football to the side.
French cat Vincent “Hugo Lloris” Caudal replaces Bennessey in the sticks and along with fellow countryman Christophe and Italian Andrea give the team added cosmopolitan flavour that it has lacked in previous seasons.
Irish defender Keith adds some necessary blood and thunder to the the back four and silky midfield player Seb becomes this season’s honorary token Australian.
Also notable mention to Defenders Chris and Matthieu and Midfielders Tino, Jimmy Catchpole and Callum who have also bolstered the strength of the squad, ensuring that competition for places will be extremely tough heading into the 1st game of the season.
Results in preseason have been a bit of mixed bag with the team struggling initially to find rhythm and Wes’ struggling to find his prized managerial jacket. However its no coincidence that since Wes has been reunited with the jacket, the team has found it’s mojo and they ended their pre-season fixtures in emphatic style with a 4-1 win against Manly Vale.
The team has been working hard to ensure that they’re fighting fit for the new season with skipper Ady Lloyd organising extra fitness sessions for the squad.
Wes has been impressed with the attitude of the squad and is full of confidence going in Sunday’s opener versus Maroubra. The team will be looking to build on last year’s success starting with a win this weekend.