2012 Squad

Maroubra United FC 35 Squad

With the countdown to the first game well and truly on, it is time to meet our squad. 

Wayne “Robocop” Hillier

      Season 3 campaigner and Manager, Wayne is our Team veteran bringing a great deal of experience and versatility to the side. Managing a star studded side is never an easy task but I have a great deal of confidence in Wayne to do this with his eyes closed. As we have yet to appoint a Team Accountant, Wayne will also ensure we abide by the ESFA Salary Cap restrictions and keep us away from the back pages of the Daily Telegraph.

Peter “The Axe” Kerras

      Joins Maroubra United FC this year and from what I have seen, I think we have found our axeman who will take no prisoners when it comes to defending. This was highlighted during the recent Canterbury trial game where Peter produced a perfectly timed sliding tackle that sent his opponent into the next suburb – I think he shit his pants!

Dennis “The Silent Assassin” Cardakaris

      Joins Maroubra United FC O35s this year, Dennis goes about his work quietly until an attacker gets in his way and I consider he (along with Peter) will form a solid tag team partnership known as the “Bash Brothers” in defence.

Russell Thiering

      Season 2 campaigner, Russell gave up a lucrative NBA contract with the LA Lakers to resign with Maroubra FC 35s this year and we are delighted to have him on board. Aside from his speed and technical skill, Russell will no doubt offer a great deal of aerial strike power from set pieces and general play.

Geoff Sirmai

      Joins Maroubra United FC O35s and I would like to formally confirm and congratulate Geoff on his appointment as our Media Liaison Officer so if anyone from our team is approached for an interview from the press, please see Geoff first.

Scott Swan

      Season 2 campaigner, bringing raw speed that can operate on both flanks or up front. This was highlighted in a game last year where we were playing on Coral Sea Field 1. Scotty collected the ball deep in the left defensive pocket and ran down the touch line, evading defenders before cutting in and curling a right foot shot passed the goalkeeper…problem is he scored a goal for the opposition team playing on Coral Sea Field 2!! We will work on that Scotty….

Frankie Moran

      Season 2 campaigner and newly appointed Senior Social Events Co-Ordinator and blog guru. Frankie has a great work ethic on the field and is a great team player and if he can score goals like he drinks beer, we are going to lead the goal scoring charts for all Maroubra teams this year!

Brett Tennant

      Season 2 campaigner, Brett is a wily, crafty and deceptive attacking player who almost took out the Golden Boot award last year with his 2 goals…yes, that is not a typo…2 goals! His sublime footwork along the touchline and crossing ability will be a key to our success.

Justin Paoloni

      Joins Maroubra United FC O35s this year. We have sent our scouts far and wide throughout the Footballing World in search of a tough, no nonsense midfielder and have spared no expense (yes at no cost) to secure Justin’s services from abroad. 

Con Georgas

      Season 2 campaigner, Con has been appointed as the Social Events Co-Ordinator to work alongside Frankie. On the pitch, Con plays with a great deal of heart and passion and dare I say I see this will be a breakout season for him if pre-season training is anything to go by.

Jason Liao

      Joins Maroubra United FC O35s this year and has displayed versatility playing all positions in the backline and on the flanks. Jason’s versatility may well turn out to provide the “X” factor the side requires in the big matches.

Tom Psaradellis

      Joins Maroubra United FC O35s this year and will add some much needed fire power up front. Tom has some big shoes to fill by replacing our sharpshooters from last year but I have no doubt once we get combinations sorted etc, Tom will benefit and perhaps an early candidate for the Golden Boot Award?

Nelson Dueza

      Joins Maroubra United FC O35s this year, Nelson’s pre-season has been cut short due to a hamstring injury but in his brief appearances has shown glimpses of flair and creativity that will be most useful in attack.

Rod Nedalkov

      Joins Maroubra United FC O35s this year, Rod took to his midfield role in the Canterbury trial game like a duck to water breaking up opposition attacks and ran all day and will no doubt add a great deal of depth along the midfield and upfront when called upon.

Keith Jeffs

      Joins Maroubra United FC O35s this year, Keith was another that excelled in the midfield role in the Canterbury trial with sublime passing and controlling the midfield and I have no doubt will be a handful for the opposition once he gets match fit.

Napoleon Perdis

      Joins Maroubra United FC O35s this year, Napoleon’s pre-season preparation has been limited but just like Tom, could be a potential candidate for the Golden Boot Award. Sportstab have yet to open a market for the Award, but when this does take place, I expect Napoleon could be the punters pick (unless the coach decides to play him in goals).

Dawn of a New Era

Greetings Team,

Welcome to Maroubra United FC Mens O35s Season 2012. This season promises to be exciting with many new faces to the team offering unique skills in various positions, versatility and depth.

As much as I would like to win as many games as possible, my main priority for the team is to ensure we are competitive, enjoy each game and above all be a part of a fun and sociable team.

For me, this will be a learning experience as I enter the minefield of coaching so I am looking forward to the challenge and making you run laps around Coral Sea if we don’t win!! haha :)

As this is the introductory blog, there are a few items I would like to raise here which I would like to share with the team for thoughts and opinions and if everyone is happy to do so, implement these before the competition starts this weekend.

Leo.

** Players Player of the Year Award

For a small contribution from each team member, I would like to organise a Players Player of the Year Award. Voting is done on a 3,2,1 basis and will be selected by the player that brings the beer to the ground for that week (everyone will have a turn at this) and you cannot vote for yourself.  This will be issued to the Player at an End of Season function which we have plenty of time to think about later.

Ps: Any volunteers to bring beers for the first round game?

**Fernando Torres Golden Boot Award

Last year, our Top Goal scorer was John Fedele with 3 goals…yes, 3 goals. Sadly our “strike weapon” has moved on but with this creates an opportunity for anyone to step up to the plate.  We have an abundance of attacking options this year and it is too hard to call who will take out this award – will it be a tie? If so, it may well come down to which player has the best post goal celebration!

** Family Day BBQ

A proposal from the Social Events Committee have sounded out a Family Day BBQ at Coral Sea, ideally when we have an 11am kick off and if scheduling permits we can eat, drink and cheer on the O45s teams. More information is available from Frankie and Con.

These are some ideas (and no doubt more will follow in the coming days) to do for the season and as mentioned above, are open for team discussion and approval. As I was mentioning, this is not compulsory but throwing out some ideas to break the routine and enjoy the season in various ways.

** Team Photo

No season is complete without a Team Photo so when we have the opportunity and have the squad together we will have to take a picture to display in the Maroubra Hall of Fame. 

** Wet Weather Training

Given the fickle nature of the Sydney weather for the last year or so, Coral Sea is bound to be closed at some stage and force us to cancel training. To avoid this and keep us active and in top physical condition (like we are already) I am suggesting we utilise the indoor soccer facility at Heffron during these periods. I am not 100% sure what the costs are but we can look at this throughout the season and confirm when this arises.