Image: Mark Avellino
Coach: Micky Colina
2016 finish: 2nd in NPL2 West (promoted), FFA Cup Round 6 (0-2 defeat vs South Melbourne)
Summary: North Geelong undid the heartbreak of 2015’s relegation playoff defeat against Melbourne Victory to bounce straight back into the top flight via playoff wins against Dandenong Thunder and Richmond SC after finishing second behind St Albans in the West. Guided by a defensive rearguard that proved the most miserly in the whole of NPL2, coupled with the masterstroke addition of American striker Kene Eze, the Warriors had a balanced squad and weathered a mid-season slump to sprint towards promotion with a rich vein of form.
Ins: Ivan Grgić (Melbourne Knights), Marko Stevanja (Werribee City), Bobby Vidanoski (Werribee City), Henry Durr (Perth Glory), Andrew Doig (Moreland City)
Outs: Reardo Luka (North Sunshine Eagles), Rudi Saglam (Richond SC)
Re-signed: Daniel Zilic, Matthew Townley, Darren Lewis, Josh Pugh, Anthony Banovac, Michael Anderson, Vito Cichello, Nicholas Jurčić, Matthew Thorne, Juso Julardžija, Kene Eze, Michael Simms, Krešo Jurković, Darcy Rapa
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Player Q&A: Anthony Banovac
How’s pre-season going? Where have you been with the team?
Well, for the most part. The Christmas period was a little disjointed with many players leaving for holidays, leaving us short on numbers. Moving closer to the season, though, we now have a full squad back and things are beginning to come into place. We went out to Shepparton the weekend before last for a pre-season training camp. Beat GVS 4-0. Team night out celebrating Micky Colina and Michael Anderson’s birthdays followed.
What have the club’s pre-season results been?
First match was against Port Melbourne. Won 2-1. Both sides played very mixed squads. Then played against Hume City and lost 8-0. As stated prior, many players were overseas and the squad that played could have been described as experimental at the very least. Nonetheless, a stark reminder as to the quality that awaits us in this league. Then played against South Melbourne and lost 5-1. Result didn’t at all reflect the balance of the game which was quite tight for the large majority. Then beat GVS 4-0. Then took on Gully at Hume Reserve and lost 3-0. Upcoming games: Vic Cro Cup this weekend and Friendship Cup against Adelaide Croatia the week after.
How are the new signings settling in?
Bobby Vidanovski has made a great immediate impact. A very direct player brimming with confidence. Excited to see how he goes. Marko Stevanja also showed his quality very early on and his intensity in training and professionalism is second to none. Ivan Grgić has slotted in next to Townley seamlessly. His calmness is very reassuring. Henry Durr has also shown his ability and quality on the ball. Has had to adjust to the physicality of Victoria somewhat. In terms of the changeroom, each and every one have found their place quite quickly and the positive ethos of the team has not been disrupted, which is a very important aspect.
Who are the NGW players to watch in 2017 (new or existing) and why?
I think Kene Eze is the one that stands out. Since his arrival, he has always added a different element to our game. His pace creates nervousness in defences and I’m sure he’ll bag a few goals if his confidence is high. The other one is Matt Thorne who, in my opinion, is one of the most underrated players in Victoria. He has an incredible ability to pick a pass and doesn’t stop moving for 90 minutes, great technical ability. Of the new arrivals, Bobby Vida has a lot of experience at this level despite being just 24 years of age and seems ready to make an immediate impact.
Who are the some of the bigger characters off the pitch and why?
When you think of club icons around the NPL, few match up with Matthew Townley. Since his arrival at the club at 2012, he has managed to become an embodiment of everything North Geelong strives to be as a club. From his application and attitude to his never-ending commitment to the cause and natural leadership abilities, he has become “Mr North Geelong” in every aspect. It is a privilege to have him as my captain. But when speaking of characters at North Geelong, it would be a crime not to mention Vito Cichello. There would be something seriously amiss if there was a North training session without the voice and jokes of Chich. A man who is always lifting the morale of the squad and a man who lives for his football and for his club, Vito is loved by his teammates and supporters alike.
How’s Micky Colina been preparing the squad?
Micky is very big on the mental aspect of the game. He always strives to have his players in the right mental state heading into games, encourages us to be ambitious and takes a war-like mentality into every game. Pre-season has been much the same in that he has been prepping us mentally for the battle ahead and to be prepared for the blows we will receive, teaching us to take them in our stride, to learn from them and to always improve individually and as a squad. We are under no illusions as to the challenge that faces us in 2017. At the same time, we know very well what our best attributes are as a squad. We know the togetherness in the dressing room and the desire and willingness to fight for each other and for the crest on our shirt got us to this level, and we will look to it once more to keep us up this season.
Which team/player are you most looking forward to facing this year?
2017 will mark the first time in history that three Croatian-backed clubs will be competing in the top-flight of Victorian football. The encounters against Dinamo and Knights are the matches I am most looking forward to. They’re the encounters that generate the most talk around the players, supporters and wider Croatian and football community. The whole “friendly rivalry” concept goes out the window as soon as the match is underway and everyone will be battling for supremacy and pride in those fixtures.
Which opposition club(s) have impressed you most in pre-season?
Obviously the stinging lesson we took from Hume City in our pre-season clash was tough to swallow, but it would be impossible not to notice the sheer quality and depth the Broadmeadows club possesses. They’re a real title contender in my eyes.
What are the expectations/objectives in 2017?
Having experienced the NPL in 2015 along with many of my current teammates, we know well the challenge that awaits us. With the free-spending by some clubs reaching unprecedented levels, along with the financial constraints our club has, we know the season ahead will be a battle. The expectation is survival but the objective, as mentioned before, is to be as ambitious as we allow and encourage ourselves to be.
What’s one headline we may see about NGW this season?
In 2015, we did well to beat the sides around us at critical points in the season to rise from the foot of the table to earn a playoff spot. Despite this, though, we weren’t able to take points off the big sides for the large majority of the season. I think the motivation to amend this, coupled with the players we now possess in our ranks, means we could well pull off an upset or two against the established sides in the competition. Expect the fans to impress state-wide with their noise and passion.