Pre-Season 2012/2013

I'd still rather have Leo over any of the other options (i.e. fit again Lia, Siggy, Downey, Lindsay or switching to a back 3). And of course assuming Manny's not an option.

If Ricki has made the call for it to be Leo (and it seems he has) then the best thing he can get is lots of time there to learn the role. The worst thing we could do is make knee jerk reactions and try 5 different options before sticking an unhappy Manny back there in Round 4.

What is the story with Pavlovich? Why has he missed the entire pre-season? I can understand him being lent out to a sydney team to get gametime through the early part, but the time is well past that he needs to be back here. Is he under consideration at all for at least making the bench this year or have the coaches decided he is simply surplus to requirements? 

Totori went around him when the AWs played the Solomons too.

I feel for Pav.... i always liked the energy he brought to the team when he came on and the fact he looked to make things happed. Admittedly, it didn't work often enough.

But to be fair to him, the way we played last year and the year before that was pretty dour at times and would of made his life a lot harder, not to mention its hard to make an impact as a sub when all you get is 10 minutes here and there.

I would be interested to see how he'd go now with the new players around him playing in a team that has some actual attacking intent, born through possession and pace as opposed to hopeful long balls as season past.

 I'm so happy to hear that Smith is doing well in pre-season. I was a big fan of him last year but I was one of the few..

He is not going to replace Brown as he is a different kind of player but I think he can do well for us.

Article on home page says Pav will rejoin the squad at the end of the month

Yeah I'm with you there too. Have always liked him. He appears to fit in really well with the culture of the club as well, which seems to be a big thing for us. I think by the end of the season he's going to be one of the ones that we're fairly keen to re-sign.

Yip I've got a feeling with Smith that we are gonna need to re-sign him asap. He brings the hardworking mentality and passion that we need in the team. He also is clearly good enough and was showing glimpses of it at the end of the season.

Now he's had a full pre-season, knows where he is playing for the next season, I'm expecting huge things from him, and wont be surprised if other teams start sniffing.

Does Durante become available for NZ at the end of this year??

Wonder if he'd get in ahead of Smith in our back 3 of Nelsen and Reid??

Next year.

No bias there ay. Haha. I'm also a big fan of him.

 I don't see him ousting any of the first three and it would be a tight call between he and Siggy.

You'd play Smith over Durante, News? Smith's definitely a future prospect but he's hardly on form at the moment.

we could play 5 CBs, why wouldn't you?

                                  Moss
          Reid Sigmund Nelsen Durante Smith
Bertos                      Vicelich                         Lochhead

                                 Smeltz
                                  Wood

Solves our issue of having no midfield and being exposed out wide with a back 3

 He scored in his last game for Ipswich as well

Is Pantelis injured again?

Starting to think its not just a coincidence that both Pav and Ernie are yet to make appearances this presason?
Think the pav has found his new positon.

Pretty much.

So I've just noticed the length of the list of players on our injured list.  Should we be concerned about this?Ifill, Sanchez, Downey, Lia, Pantelis and Pavlovic all listed as injured.

Apart from Ifill, most of them have missed pretty much all the pre-season so far. I don't think there is too much to worry about unless we pick up some more before the season starts. It is also giving the FSE kids a chance to play.

It will be interesting to see where Huysegems plays today. We are a bit light on the wings, so we might see him get a run there with Boyd/Brockie up front.

yeah but round 2 we are gonna be super light if these guys are still unavailable...

We always have a heap of injuries at the start, then everyone comes back... it will be ok.

Who needs Iifl anyway we have Brockie now : )

Does anyone know how long these guys are out? Particularly Sanchez, I remember hearing about him being injured ages ago and don't remember hearing anything else since. Ifill is only out for a couple of weeks rights? I think Pantelis is at least half the season out, not sure about Lia.

Ifill is apparently 50/50 for Sydney

Sanchez out till November

Pantelis probably wont be seen all season

Lia & Downey seem to be walking fine so not sure

Any updates from Palmy ???

6-1 Phoenix

7- 1

7-1 FT

We want 7

Back from game.  I drove up from Pram.  Good hit out with impressive performances from Brockie and Fenton in firsat half.  Totori was very quick at times and did well I thought.  Stein contributed well and is still to reach his best I think..  Wil take time to adjust to Nix "style".  Defence needs to raise its game(although right was exposed) otherwise they might get done by Sydney..some loose balls and bit slow at times.  Second half saw wholesale changes which affected flow which resulted in early goal for the greens.  Second half got better.  Clarke is very skilful and quick of vision.  Would like to see him on bench ahead of Bertos with Ifill and Fenton starting as attacking mid if Smith and Manny can boss the defensive mid.

Attackling options look very exciting with talented youth.