Colina and North Geelong part ways

THE North Geelong Warriors and their senior head coach Micky Colina have agreed to part ways.

It comes after a disappointing season in which the Warriors finished on the bottom of the NPL table.

This year was Colina’s fourth in charge at Elcho Park, and despite having success in the lower divisions, which twice earned North Geelong promotion into the top-flight, the Warriors were never able to stay up in two attempts — in 2015 and this season.

It means for the second time in three years North Geelong has been relegated to NPL2 North-West, but Colina leaves the Warriors with a strong record.

A club statement praised his work in taking the Warriors back to the top of Victorian football.

“The club would like to express its deep gratitude towards Micky for investing his time and effort into what can only be seen as a successful period over the last three-and-ahalf years,” the statement read.

“Additionally, for the first time in North Geelong’s history, the club was crowned the Australian Croatian Soccer Tournament champions in 2014.

“We cannot thank Micky enough for all he has invested into us and we wish him every success in his future.”

Colina said he would have liked to stay on but could not see himself committing in the manner required for North Geelong to prosper again.

“The Warriors are now entering a new phase, a new journey that is one we had previously discussed on many occasions and one that is necessary for the club to progress and prepare for the future,” Colina said.

“It is a journey that I would have loved to be part of.

“After some thought I believe it wouldn’t be fair to commit to the long-term journey unless I am fully committed to go the distance, so now is a good time to allow the club to start the process of looking for the right person who can commit to the task ahead.”

Colina will stay with the Warriors until after the Australian Croatian soccer tournament in Canberra.