ALBION PARK WHITE EAGLES

Former Wollongong Wolves Assistant Coach Jeff Allport has taken over the reins at Albion Park White Eagles for the 2016 Illawarra Premier League season. The White Eagles will be looking to at least repeat what they achieved last season, with their fourth slot in the IPL ladder and some high-scoring victories, including putting five goals past Dapto Dandaloo Fury’s usually solid defence.

Chris Smith had scored 22 goals over the last two seasons for the White Eagles, so his move to Wollongong United might seem a blow up front, but they kept equal top scorer from 2015 Shaun McRae, and they have brought in some exciting new players who could help keep the White Eagles soaring in 2016.

Players to watch

Ex-Wollongong Wolves and Fury forward Mitchell Delturco will be aiming to fill the gap up front left by Chris Smith. How he links up with Shaun McRae could be a crucial pointer to the White Eagles’ scoring ability in 2016. At the back, Allport has made two very astute signings in 2015 George Naylor Medal Winner Vaughan Patterson (signed from Fury), and Shannon Fielding, who played a vital role in the Wollongong Wolves’ late surge for a play-off place in the NPL League 1 in 2015. With defenders of this calibre, the White Eagles can hope to reduce significantly the Goals Against column. Jack Balmforth is back for another season, as is the excellent Bryce Daenell in goal. The Eagles have also recently added three new Japanese players to their squad. It will be interesting to see how they fare.

Season expectation

The White Eagles were an exciting team to watch in 2015, so their leap up the ladder to fourth spot was no surprise. The squad looks even stronger and deeper this season, so they will surely be there or thereabouts by the end of the IPL season. Other teams have probably strengthened their squads as much if not more, though, so I don’t see the White Eagles flying any higher than they did in 2015, but a Finals berth looks very likely again. And following their win in this week’s FFA Cup tie, they now move onto a plum tie against Blacktown Spartans from the NPL 1. Now that will make for an intriguing match at Terry Reserve.

By Simon Duffin