Young stars hold key for Mareeba
THE loss of several key highprofile players will be overcome by the elevation of experienced young campaigners, according to Mareeba United coach Angelo Tatti.
A broken arm to captain Jamie Carroll, the departure of former Cairns FC midfielder Bronson Koppen and the apparent retirement of Alex Plowman could suggest a loss of class at the Tablelands club.
But the reality couldn’t be further from that assertion.
Tatti, who served as Perry Krakowczyk’s assistant last year before replacing him as Premier League coach this season, said the club was in a very good place.
The club’s crop of young talent is poised to break through.
Promising goalkeeper Jack Centofanti and outfielders Deane Alterio and Milan Quintieri spent considerable time in the Premier League last year and know what to expect in the region’s highest level of football.
Coupled with rising young guns Damian Avolio and Liam Leporati, both of whom played one game in the Premier League last year, and Tatti has a number of exciting options at his disposal.
“Damian is a young gun coming through the system and Liam was the top goalscorer for our reserve grade team last year,” Tatti said.
“Milan was borderline last year but he’s coming through really nicely.
“Things are going pretty good at the moment, I’m happy with how we’re doing.
“We’ve still got a few players to come back but I’m quite happy with what we’ve got.”
Koppen managed just nine Premier League games last year and has already told the Cairns Post he won’t return for another run with the Bulls.
With Plowman also expected to be out of the picture, it opens two holes in the line-up for enthusiastic young Tablelands players.
Mareeba is still actively looking out for players, though Tatti will be happy to lead a young, hungry squad into battle.
The Bulls are set to play several friendlies in the next few weeks before they host the Chairman’s Cup on the weekend of February 29-March 1.
The club will start its FFA Cup campaign on the road to Edge Hill United on March 7, then kick off this year’s Premier League campaign at home to Southside Comets on March 28.
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