Churchill United

 

Coach: Luke Cheney

Ladder position 2011: 2^nd

Top 4 Finals Series Premiers 2011

 

Squad Gains: Tim Dawson (Olympians 2010), Jordan Kennedy (Falcons) Mitchell Jackson (Reserves)

 

Squad Losses: Stephen Maselli, Andrew Maselli, Paul Riess (All injured long term)

 

Coaches Comment: “We are aiming to build on a fantastic second half to 2011 and we want to go one better than our eventual second place last year. To miss out on the Championship by four goals really hurt and the guys are focused on every match this season and we know we can’t lose focus if we want to win the title. We are confident of a good showing in 2012 but we are also respectful and wary of all our opponents.”

 

Falcons 2000

 

Coach: Mauro De Luca

Ladder Position 2011: 5^th

Battle of Britain Cup Runners Up 2011

 

Squad Gains: Sam Amaira (Pegasus), Daniel Tawfik (Monash SC), Andres Nilo (Fortuna), John Kontogeorgos (Olympians) Gianni Salvatore (under 16’s), Jacob Gaudiano, Owen Newbury, Marcus Tawfik (All Reserves)

 

Squad Losses: Aaron Daniels (Olympians), Michael Fava (Olympians), Anthony Pardo (Olympians), Kenny Higgins (Olympians), James Alesi (retired), Adrian Fazioli (Aussie rules)

 

Coaches Comment: “Despite the loss of several senior players we feel that the recent additions have more than made up for this. We are aiming to develop a lot of our junior players by integrating them within the senior set up which in itself has created a buzz of excitement on the training ground. Also, there are now opportunities for those who have developed in the reserves to get their chance, and we are definitely looking to build the future of this club”

 

 

Fortuna 60

 

Coach: Ben Cassar

Ladder Position 2011: 1^st

Battle of Britain Cup Winners 2011

Top 4 Finals Series Runners Up 2011

 

Squad Gains: Rayvel Whiting (Monash), Shayne Cassar (Tyers), Joel Baldwin (Warragul) Fredy Fedelisi (Sale United), Leon Cook (Newb/Yallourn), Dean Hamilton (Moe), Jake Logiodice (Reserves), David Vitale (Reserves), Zach Mangion (Under16's) 

 

Squad Losses: Cameron Dunne (other interests), James Down (other interests), Shaun Pickett (Pegasus), Braydon Dunne (Warragul), Danny Dunne (Warragul), Andres Nilo (Falcons) Josh Witherow (moved interstate)

 

Coaches Comment: “Though we have lost top quality experienced championship players from last season I believe that the club has recruited well over the off season. Promoting from within and gaining new players that will enable us to cover those positions for the 2012 season. We are working hard to mould these players into a very competitive team in 2012 with the emphasis on fitness and placing players into the best positions that suits my planned team structure”.
 

 

 

Moe United

Coach: Lee Dastey

Ladder Position 2011: 7^th

 

Squad Gains: Jason Koppen (returning) and Adrian Savage (Diamond Valley) 

 

Squad Losses: Dean Hamilton (Fortuna)

 

Coaches Comment: “Having finished 7^th in the last two seasons we are looking to be more competitive week in week out with the aim to be in a position to challenge for a top four position towards the end of the season. All indications so far are that very little separates many of the clubs so a top four position won't come easy. The club celebrates its 60th Anniversary this year therefore it promises to be a big year on and off the park”.  

 

Monash 

Coach: Eamon O’Hare

Ladder Position 2011: 4^th

 

Squad Gains: Matt Amaira (Pegasus), Ethan Lawrence (Casey), Cam Smith (Moe), Matt Lowater (Moe), Chris Noppert (return from injury)

 

Squad Losses: Rayvel Whiting (Fortuna), Matt Beasley (Trafalgar), Daniel Tawfik (Falcons), Marty Jones (long term injury)

 

Coaches Comment: "We're quietly confident of another good season. Our pre-season although being unspectacular, the lads have shown tremendous commitment, particularly the young ones. If we can stay injury free and the likes of Chris Noppert, Adrian Iacovou and Ryan Semple can return to 100% then we have a list capable of fulfilling our goals."

 

Newborough-Yallourn United

  

Coach: Steve Heywood

Ladder Position 2011: 8^th

 

Squad Gains: Chad Shelley and Zac Teller (Under 16’s)

 

Squad Losses: Adam and Andrew Batt (Traralgon City), Ty Christy (long term injury)

 

Coaches Comment: “I’m excited to build on the foundation laid last season and continue the push into the top four. There are still areas that need improvement in our squad but with a solid crop of under 16’s coming through from last season we are excited to see how we stack up against the top clubs in the GSL. Promoting the youth of the club will as always be a focus and we anticipate the introduction of the Youth division will only further develop these young men into fully fledged senior players in the GSL for many years to come”.

 

Sale United

 

Coach: Ben Cowan

Ladder Position 2011: 9^th

 

Squad Gains: Robbie Stephen (Scotland – new to area) 

Squad Losses: Jacob Patterson (long term injury), Fredy Fedelisi (Fortuna)

 

Coaches Comment: “I’m looking forward to further developing the vast youth component of the senior squad with a goal of implementing a structured game plan to be competitive in each game.  The aim is to build on the results of last year and looking at developing a disciplined culture within the squad.  Hopefully these minor changes will translate to results and return the club to a higher league table standing”.

 

Traralgon City

 

Coach: Tommy Leckey

Ladder Position 2011: 3^rd

 

Squad Gains: Adam Batt, Andrew Batt, (Newborough-Yallourn); Dustin Moos (Warragul); Robbie Holmes (Returning) DJ Matar, Connor Jenkinson, Andrew Mayze, Dwayne Gillespie, Ben Schoonderbeek, Jason Burton and Dalton Burton (All under 16’s)

 

Squad Losses: Matthew Epps (returned to Melbourne)

 

Coaches Comment: “We are confident of at least holding our 3^rd place position from last year and maybe go a bit better. We had a great rise from bottom in 2010 and we want to make sure all that work is not in vein. With the addition of some key players the senior depth has been boosted. We’ve also been strengthened with the promotion of a number of players from 2011’s under 16’s. This combination will mean Traralgon City will be exciting to watch in 2012”.

 

Traralgon Olympians

 

Coaches: Anthony Collins and Jonathan Buhagiar

Ladder Position 2011: 6^th

 

Squad Gains: Frank Albanese (Warragul), Aaron Daniels, Michael Fava, Anthony Pardo, Kenny Higgins (All Falcons), Brett Ried (Mt Gambier)

 

Squad Losses: John Kontogeorgos (Falcons), Justin Kosakiewicz (Overseas), Danny Disisto (retired), Ben Johnstone (Peninsula Strikers)

 

Coaches Comment (Anthony Collins): “Last year it was disappointing to miss the finals in such as close season. This year we have recruited extremely well and we feel the additions we’ve made, along with our existing players, will see us right back up the top challenging. We have a great combination of youth and experience and we will be focusing on getting the best out of every squad member so the team is also performing at its best”.

 

Tyers Lightning

 

Coach: Mark Pavich

Ladder Position 2011: 10^th

 

Squad Gains: Nil

 

Squad Losses: Nil

 

Coaches Comment: 2012 is the 30^th celebration year for the Tyers Soccer in the GSL.  On the pitch, it will be a year of rebuilding our senior squad to establish greater depth.  We are focusing on commitment from our players to a strong showing at training and that will then be reflected on the pitch come game day.  A strong showing at the Monash Tru Energy Cup in preseason has reinforced the ability and potential of the players at the club.