Innisfail aiming to improve

INNISFAIL United’s new premier men’s coach is promising players will be fitter, faster and better prepared this season after last year’s campaign saw the side collect the wooden spoon.

John Salongi, fresh from five years as a goalkeeping coach for the FNQ Heat and Cairns Football Club, has already started whipping his men into shape.

“We had to get a start on it because we haven’t got much time and if we don’t start and get things going, these guys won’t be ready by the start of the season,” he said.

“Hopefully, we’ll be fit and have a bit of cohesion, otherwise we’re going to struggle.

“We have to win the first three games.”

The 2019 FNQ Football season officially starts in March, with the first game on Saturday, March 9.

Salongi, a former Cutters player, will be focusing on his side’s form throughout the competition.

The new coach will not hesitate to fill the ranks with the club’s younger players.

“I can see a lot of players who will have to be promoted early in the piece, whether they are ready or not,” he said.