Cootamundra Strikers are raring to today in their first-grade season opener against Wagga United at Rawlings Park 2 in Lake Albert.
The men’s side this season features a blend of both young blood and expereinced players.
Corey Doohan will be looking to cement his spot at left-back this season and Rhys Neate’s positive showings in pre-season training will see him feature heavily in midfield this year.
Young Mitchell Simons and Lachlan McDermott have also shown great attitude and energy at training sessions and will be expermiented around the park in their first season of senior football.
High school student Kaleb Johnson who bagged a goal for the Strikers last season, recenttly returned to training and will be looking to rake up many minutes this season.
The experienced Nick Ashe will skipper the side this season and Mark Rogers, Brenton Forsyth, Steve Armstrong as well as himself have all led the Strikers training camp from time-to-time.
It’s been a long road for the men’s side who were brave in the 2020 season then began training some two months prior to the 2021 season’s opener.
SInce signing on for the Strikers in 2021, Head Coach Mick Godbier has placed an emphasis in stripping football back to basics, communication as well as playing out from the back.
The Strikers have played two trial matches in 2021, which resulted in a 5-0 loss to Young then an improved 3-1 loss to South Wagga, scored by Mark Rogers.
Coach Godbier said there were plenty of positives heading into the season opener against Wagga United.
“I am not going to be too caught up with results,” he said. “We’ve been training hard and the boys have been doing the right things for the past few months and I am hopeful we’ll put in a good performance.
“There’s been lots of improvement in our side, especially defensively. If we can put in a solid defensive performane on Sunday, it will put us to good stead.”
At this stage the Strikers are hopeful to field an additional reserve grade side this season, currently waiting on final registerations to come through.
STRIKERS WOMEN’S
The ladies have been training hard this year in attempt to go as far as the grand-final, as they have last season.
Their season will kick-off next Thursday night at home at O’Connor Park, 6.30pm against Junee.
Stalwart Annette Parkinson who played her 400th outing against Junee will be captain-coach for the 2021 season, as well as donning the number 1 kit between the sticks.
“It has been great to see a number of returning players since we lost a few to the Wanderers and uni,” Annette said.
“Our focus in training has been on small-sided games with movement off the ball being the main focus.”
Alana Simons, Shannon Campbell, Sue Caldwell, Maddi Spencer, Tanealle Eccleston, Steph Smith and Jess Roddy are a few names as fresh bloods this season for the ladies.
Christopher Tan