Manly United lose rising star Mooy to ACL

Mooy, who played at Cromer Park for the club?s Grade 20 side as a 16-year-old in 2007 before joining his local club Marconi last year while completing his HSC, had agreed terms to return to Manly United in 2009.
He was set to join the NSW Telechoice Premier League squad last week following completion of his commitments with the Jets.
But his bustling performances for the Jets National Youth League side saw him earn a starting berth in the Newcastle first team over the last month of the regular season and he convinced coach Gary Van Egmond he deserved a spot in the ACL squad.
Manly United coach Phil Moss said it was a great opportunity for Mooy.
?Brodie goes with Manly United?s full blessing ? it is a wonderful opportunity for a fantastic young man who has a bright future in the game ahead of him,? Moss said.
?It?s a blow for us obviously because Brodie would have given us a very good option up front but I feel we have the depth to deal with it.
?I always thought that once he got the nod in first grade with the Jets he would do well enough to earn a senior contract ? he is a good young prospect ? and obviously Gary feels the same way.
?We wish him all the very best and look forward to watching his career blossom.?
Mooy?s departure sees the striking responsibilities rest on the shoulders of experienced trio Craig Midgley, Robbie Cattanach and Josh Sama with the likes of Irishman Keith Shevlin and Brazilian Fabio ?Fabinho? Alves Pena as well as youngsters Joey Gibbs and Jamie Garside also expected to be among the goals this year.
Manly United kick-started its 2009 campaign with a scoreless draw with reigning premiers Sutherland last weekend and will now head to Bossley Park to take on Marconi in Saturday night?s blockbuster at Marconi Stadium.
?It?s a place we love going because we know its going to be a real challenge,? Moss said.
?Our battles with Marconi always seem to bring the best out of our players and I?m sure we will be better for the tough game against Sutherland last weekend.?
Kick-off on Saturday night is 7.30pm.