Insight: Marconi Stallions
The Team: Marconi Stallions enter the 2012 campaign with high expectations following a rather disappointing finish to the 2011 season. The Stallions have recruited well in the off season, adding some impressive names to the playing roster including Daniel Severino, Jamie McMaster, Shane Webb, Luke Grima, Joey Gibbs and Nathan Elasi.
Another huge acquisition is that of Milorad Simonovic, though a pre-season knee injury has all but ended his 2012 campaign.
Defensively the Stallions are strong with James Chronopoulos between the sticks behind the likes of Ali Haydar, Umut Tokdogan, Brenton Rhodes and Grima. In the middle of the park, the attacking flair of Elasi and McMaster stand the Stallions in good stead moving forward, with the hard working Nahuel Arrarte sure to play his part leading the Stallions into the new campaign.
A late recruit but a worthy one was the signing of former Gold Coast United player Severino.
Wearing the number 99 jersey for this year, Severino is well known to many in the NSW Premier League circles with his deft finishing from set-pieces, he will certainly be another player the club will look towards.
The Stallions certainly do possess much potential ahead of the start of the season. Once Casserly has his men in order, and his style of play implemented, the Stallions will give the competition a massive shake this season.
The Coach: Club favourite Luke Casserly will back up for his second season at the helm at Marconi Stallions. Casserly and his assistant Darren Iocca had a difficult first season in terms of results in 2011, though the signs are more than positive for 2012.
An impressive recruitment campaign in the off season, Casserly certainly does possess the talent he requires get the Stallions back to challenging for silverware. Once more, the coach will be looking to his experienced heads to lead the Stallions on the field and instill an understanding amongst the new recruits about the importance of vesting the Marconi jersey.
Player to watch: Jamie McMaster joins the Stallions from Bonnyrigg White Eagles, and the attacking midfielder will be eager to get his season off to a flying start. The rivalry with Bonnyrigg will make for an intriguing encounter when the sides meet. McMaster?s arrival certainly does add for more service in the front-third for the strikers. His ability to switch play, get forward, provide the final pass and score goals gives Casserly a further avenue to pursue this season with the Stallions going forward.
Rising Star: Youngster Jacob Ott has been included in the Stallions first grade squad listing for this season, testament to the midfielder?s fine 2011 season. A member of the Marconi Grade-20 side, Ott did feature for the Stallions first team off the bench last season. The youngster?s composure in the middle of the park, with a big engine and good decision making skills have rewarded Ott with a first grade spot. Ott brings much youthful exuberance to the side, and as a player who has played through the ranks at the club, will be giving his all in the big time this season.
Marconi Stallions Squad 2012
2. Andrew Mailer
3. Ali Haydar
4. Umut Tokdogan
5. Brenton Rhodes
6. Shane Webb
7. Sean O?Connell
8. Trent Barton
9. Keith Shevlin
10 Joey Gibbs
11. Nathan Elasi
14. Joel Grenell
15. Alan De La Cuadra
16. Jacob Ott
17. Robert Tribbia
18. Jamie McMaster
19. Damien Travis
20. Luke Grima
21. Andrew Mercuri (GK)
22. James Chronopoulos
23. Christopher Nunes
26. Nahuel Arrarte ?
99. Daniel Severino
Coach: Luke Casserly
Ins: Nathan Elasi, Shane Webb, Jamie McMaster (BWE), Luke Grima (Parramatta FC), Milorad Simonovic (Blacktown City FC), Joel Grenell (Manly United FC), Daniel Severino (Gold Coast United), Joey Gibbs (Sydney FC Youth team)
Outs: Adel El Jamal, Timothy McGowan, Nico Sama, Matthew Gordon, Daniel Ott, Graziano Trimboli, Domenic Trimboli, Mitchell Mallia (Sydney FC), Nathan Jagelman, Giosue Sama, Nikodin Matic (UK 4th Division Amateur), Daniel Petkovski (Sydney FC)
