The Scouting Report: Marconi Stallions 2013 Season Preview
2012 Champions Marconi Stallions will have a different look this season as the club welcomes back former player Jean Paul de Marigny as the head coach.
JP will be relying on the experienced Nahuel Arrarte, club captain and leader to push the side towards a finals series finish as the Stallions hope to turn some heads yet again in 2013.
The Team: Marconi Stallions came up trumps against all the odds in 2012 when it overcame the massive task of facing Bonnyrigg White Eagles in the grand-final decider. Entering the tie with all odds stacked against them, the Stallions played a near perfect 90’ minutes of football against the season’s high-flyers and pip them at the post, denying Brian Brown’s men a grand-final winners medal.
The Stallions’ task at hand in 2013 is definitely a massive one. Winning a championship is difficult, though going back-to-back is something very few teams manage to achieve. The departure of coach Luke Casserly does not appear to have unsettled the side in the off-season, and the appointment of experienced campaigner Jean-Paul De Marigny is no doubt a positive move to have the Stallions play some attacking football and chase further success.
Marconi’s nucleus remains the same in 2013, with team leaders James Chronopoulos, Umut Tokdogan, Shane Webb, Christopher Nunes and captain Nahuel Arrarte to lead the cause.
New signing Aman Hadid, who has proven to be an exceptional talent, notwithstanding limited playing time last season due to injury, joins the Stallions and is expected to lead the side in the front-third of the playing field with his fine pace and skill on the ball. Add to that Milorad Simonovic’s experience, and Damien Travis’ youthful exuberance, De Marigny is quietly rounding up an impressive playing roster with some immense talent to match.
The Coach: Jean-Paul De Marigny returns to the club he played over 150 matches for as a player – and also coached between 2003-2004. De Marigny has enjoyed much success at Bossley Park, and his return is a welcome one amongst Stallions supporters.
The former Sydney United 58 FC boss has been a strong believer of attractive, attacking football, and more of the same is expected in this upcoming season.
The Stallions coach will have some extra weight on his shoulders this campaign, with the Stallions starting the season as reigning champions – however the former left-sided defender enjoys a challenge, and he will be confident in the playing group at his disposal to repeat the triumphant achievements of season 2012.
Player to watch: Players come and go at clubs around the world, though every now and then, one individual sticks around long enough to become a cult hero and lead the club through thick and thin.
One such player is Stallions captain Nahuel Arrarte, and the Marconi leader’s importance to this club continues to grow with each season.
A fighting spirit that possesses an impressive engine in the heart of the Marconi midfield, Arrarte’s defensive capabilities are as equally impressive as his forward forays, and his ability to find goals will again be a huge asset for coach Jean-Paul De Marigny’s men.
Arrarte was instrumental in last season’s grand-final triumph, and more of the same will be needed from the club captain if the side is to go close to repeating that triumph.
Rising Star: Damien Travis made an impressive debut season with the Stallions first grade team last season, performing well beyond his young years at the top-flight level. The 20 year-old defensive midfielder has played at Marconi since the age of 14, and Travis has realised that his hard work has paid dividends with first team football.
Travis’ preferred role is on the wing in a defensive role, though the talented youngster likes getting forward to support his front men. 2012 proved to be an important season in Travis’ development – expect to see him make a name for himself this season as Marconi aims to re-live the victorious 2012 campaign.
