The Talon March 1992

"THE STATE LEAGUE TEAMS PREPARED FOR THE TOUGH YEAR AHEAD

The White Eagle Senior Team and Reserve Team have both been busy preparing for their Summer Cup and the forthcoming league season.

Eugene Mycak returns to the Eagles camp for 1992 after a valuable and successful coaching stint at Hobart Juventus last season. Eugene has been wooed back to the club, much to the pleasure of players, supporters, committee and to Eugene. A solid pre-season training has followed his appointment and also the inclusion of some young promising players to the squad.

Les Ware has been appointed the new State League Reserve Coach for 1992 after an encouraging season coaching a young Under 17 team to fifth last year. Les, who has coached the Division 1 side before, is a keen coach and has been continually gaining experience and qualifications in the field of coaching. He has been a decisive factor in getting a number of promising young players, such as Damien Bones, Robert Lebski and Paul Murray up into the senior squad.

Les has a number of prospective young players in his reserve squad also. The club has always tended to rely on its young Eagle base rather than recruit rashly and expensively from outside. Both coaches have shown they will rigourously follow a policy of interest in the youth this year, and after all they are the senior team's future. With the changes to the roster this year, it allows for a greater support of the juniors from the senior squads. So we encourage both players and supporters to patronise junior games, and we will make sure rosters are available for these leagues.

The prospect of a successful season in both State League Seniors and Reserves is promising, and the co-operation between Eugene and Les is the type required in the new dual State League Competition. Both the reserve and senior teams will play on the same day and at the same venue, with the reserves playing a curtain raiser against the same club as the seniors. This will allow supporters and coaches to view the depth of the club and will also save those previously roving supporters the cost of a two fixture a weekend. At a club organisation level this also allows for a more flexible organisation of functions and a greater participation.

There are eight teams in the competition, with three rounds being played this year. As opposed to last years two rounds involving nine teams that resulted in bye games. The roster season will be concluded and a minor premier will be resolved but this year a final series involving the top four teams will decide the major premiership. So if the White Eagle Senior Team aspires to make it five in a row, they must finish within the top four positions of the league table and then must go on to win the finals series.

We have drawn four away games for the roster season:

vs Devonport           at Devonport  Saturday May    2nd
vs Ulverstone	       at Ulverstone Saturday May   16th
vs Devonport	       at Devonport  Saturday June  20th
vs Launceston Juventus at Prospect   Saturday August 1st

Given that we play each side three times this year we have received a good draw, this however only nullifies a bad draw we received in 1990. Of course supporters are welcome to accompany us on the team bus to away games, but now that both senior and reserves sides will be travelling together you'd better book early.

The senior team showed good pre-season form in their first game for the year. This was their Charity Cup fixture against Hobart Juventus at KGV on the 11th of March. This game being after only a handful of organised practice matches. The juniors included in the squad had a chance to show their wares, with the exclusion of a number of players from last season's first eleven. Both Eugene Banasik and Neil Morrison are suffering from groin injuries, with Eugene's injury a continuation of problems he incurred last season. Also David Stoddart was absent due to suspension and Richard Leszczynski, who has decided not to play for the club this season.

But the new squad players who took the field proved they are more than capable in their respective tasks. With young Paul Murray giving a convincing performance at right back. Zlatko Belanic the eagle's goal keeper, also had a convincing start to the season after having problems with a fractured cheek bone last year.

The team lost however, but only after extra time and penalties. Damien Bones opened the scoring for White Eagle but Juventus equalised from a deflected shot late in the second half. At full time both teams were prepared to accept a draw but were then forced into playing extra time. Eventually a penalty shoot-out was required, with neither side scoring in the extra 30 minutes. Eagle's however did not convert the first couple of penalties and Juventus did, allowing them to take away the cup.

The reserve side has had a 1-0 loss to Rapid and 2-1 victory over Croatia in its first two encounters. The side's first game against Rapid was played on Rapid's new home ground at Kingston. The young Eagle side performed well but did not take advantage of a strong wind on what was a generally inhospitable day weather wise.

Their second game against Croatia was a tentative one early but the side went in a goal up at half time. The second half started with substitute Adam Jones scoring with his first touch and the Eagle side then taking a firmer hold. A late goal by Croatia put the pressure back on the side, but they withheld to put themselves in a possible position for a semi final birth. But they must rely on Rapid losing to have even a chance of advancing to the final rounds.

Under 17 and Under 15 teams take on new coaches for 1992 Season, and these junior squads hold current and future promise.

Tim Wilkie has been appointed coach of the Under 15 team for this season. The committee and I'm sure the boys appreciate Tim taking on the task of coaching this young developing side. Tim has been a strong participating member of the club for quite some time playing through the juniors and into the Reserves and Thirds sides and any support that he receives in his duties would be greatly appreciated.

The side is made up of a bulk of players carried through from Bob Osuchowski's Under 14 side last season, who showed promise throughout the year with mixed results however on the board. Tim is wished all the best for the year and anyone interest in managing or aiding Tim in his duties should make themselves known to the committee.

Barry Shacklady has decided to take on the Under 17 side for this year, much to the delight of our new State League Reserves Coach, Les Ware. Les has a number of boys still eligible to play in the under 17 age group from his Under 17 team last year. A number of these players are also appearing in the Reserve team squad. Barry who is not unfamiliar to coaching, has been involved at White Eagle in a playing role as well. Barry is also wished every success for the year and any support given to him would be greatly appreciated. And anyone willing to make the a commitment to the team as Manager should also contact the committee.

A thirds team has also been entered in their respective competition. It is a bit to early to give comment on their promise for this season, but we hope it will still be in line or one better than their second place last season.

SUMMER 1992"