This could easily go on an Ole thread but I'll put it here. With McCowatt's recent move to Denmark, is good to review where that ES winning side from season 2018/2019 are now at. Don't think any other Handy Prem side has come close to afterward, having this many guys signed overseas. And yes acknowledge was basically Western Suburbs in disguise.
Withers - Western Suburbs? Is he a coach at Ole?
Harry Edge - Torslanda, Sweden (5th tier)
Kalua - Eastern Suburbs
Pjinaker - Rio Ave, Portugal (top tier)
Wilkins - Helsingor, Denmark (2nd tier)
Payne - Nix
De Jong - Maritzburg, South Africa (top tier)
Parker-Price - Torslanda, Sweden (I note Andrew Voerman has said he is a possibility for AWs callup next month)
Wooldridge - Torslanda, Sweden
Just - Helsingor, Denmark
McCowatt - Helsingor, Denmark
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2019/03/31/new-ze...
Throw in some younger Ole grads like Stamenic (Denmark - top tier/U19s) and Garbett (Sweden - top tier), and it's an impressive list up in Europe now. Few more like Adams, Collier and Billingsley in the US.
Ole/Western Suburbs have been pushing NZF for a few years now to have a Handy Prem side. If motto of the league is 'where AWs are made' then ES team stands as best example of that. If either Southern or Nelson can't be resurrected for season 2021/2022 I'd give their spot to Ole/Western Suburbs.
Know that Ole have had affiliations with (basically let their players go to over the summer) ACFC, ES and now Tee Dubs. But maybe it's time they had their own side in the Handy Prem. Took a few years for WeeNix to get a side accepted.
This is Declan Edge on a between Two beers podcast.
Interesting listen. I'm about 30 mins in on the 1.30 hours. Dude is a polarising figure, but is a bit of fascinating character, and will be a huge influence on NZ game for a long time ahead. At about 24 mins he talks about ES and Danny Hay, prior to that his views on Hudson and Schmid. Not a fan of either. Would be a good guest to have on Phoenix City when he returns from Sweden, if he's willing. Maybe he's not. He talks about once having a Yellow Fever account, and stirring things up!!
Edit at 58 mins he compares Weenix Academy verus Ole.