By Josip Zilic
Consolidating form will be of paramount focus for North Geelong Warriors as the side tries to keep its recent winning ways continuing in a round 15 clash away on Sunday against Nunawading City.
Nunawading recently added a big-name signing, with former A League player Fahid Ben Khalfallah joining two weeks ago to play alongside another former A League midfielder, Massimo Murdocca.
However, Nunawading has been unable to turn its richness of experience into scoreboard pressure, with a scoreless draw followed by a 6-0 loss to Moreland Zebras.
Meanwhile, the Warriors have solidified with two wins in a row, most recently a 2-0 victory against Murray United last weekend courtesy of goals from Julian Cassano and Darius Madison.
The Warriors responded to some difficulties in the past weeks, firstly their head coach resigning three weeks ago, then losing midfielder Damian Peters to the lure of NPL1, and midfielder Ryan Opperman being injured last weekend and likely to miss at least a week.
But around every corner is another opportunity and stepping up are players like Cassano who took his starting chance and performed well. Add to that the return of Michael Boyar from suspension and the side can settle into its focus required for the weekend’s match.
In further good news, the club has also confirmed that the head coach role has been settled. James Coutts, currently with Gold Coast United and previously coached Murray United in NPL2, will join the club as player/coach, pairing with Nathan Rogers who has steered the turnaround in form to be his assistant head coach.
The club is now looking to finalise its under-20 head coach role to continue the club’s emerging development, which took a positive step forward in a 2-0 win with goals to 16-year-old Gabriel Majic and Jesse Krasic.
