CARROLL FIRES FOR MAREEBA
JAMIE Carroll always made this year about going back to Mareeba United and helping the Tablelands’ young stars develop, but the former Cairns FC skipper proved there is plenty left in the tank with his first hat-trick of the season.
Carroll’s treble powered the Bulls to a 7-2 win against Stratford Dolphins, a victory which both gave home fans the perfect regular season send-off and changed the complexion of the run to the FNQ Premier League finals.
Mareeba’s massive victory put the Bulls within reach of a potential top two finish, which has always been coach Perry Krakowczyk’s goal, while the Dolphins are in danger of missing the cut altogether.
Four Bulls forced their way on to the scoresheet, as Justin Sabbadin, Darcy McCormack and Damien Wildman all scored one each, while Jake Edwards’ 69th minute own goal added to Stratford’s woes.
But it was Carroll’s triple treat which has Bulls fans salivating as the Premier League reaches the crunch.
Krakowczyk said Carroll’s return to the attacking line had sparked a dramatic change to the side’s potential danger.
Carroll started the season up front but struggled to score, whether it was via a misfiring boot or lack of clean opportunities, and an extended stay in the midfield had allowed his teammates to grow.
“It wasn’t working initially so we moved him into that attacking mid, as a playmaker, but we couldn’t find the back of the net,” Krakowczyk said.
“We put him back into the attack and he was on fire. We’re making the same opportunities as we did earlier in the season but we’re putting them into the net.
“We know we have to win these last three games if we want to finish in the top two.”
Carroll’s discovery of form has come at a perfect time with just two regular season games left to build his attacking partnership with McCormack.
“Playing together with Jamie, it gives Darcy a lot more support up front,” Krakowczyk said. “They play extremely well together.”
Mareeba will face fellow possible finals teams Marlin Coast and Leichhardt in the last two rounds of the season.