Cringila Lions

Inconsistency has been the main cause for concern at Cringila in recent times. Last season they took points off some of the top teams in the IPL, but then barely showed up on other days. New coach Jason Higgs will be aiming to steady the ship, though it’s hard to see the Lions becoming leader of the IPL pack in 2016.

The loss of some of the Lions’ main men from 2015 could be crucial. Top scorer Stefan Dimoski has moved on to the Wollongong Wolves, and showed what a loss he could be for the Lions when he scored in the pre-season match against the Football South Coast All Stars. Jack Keating has gone to Wollongong Olympic and keeper Michael Takacs has moved over to new IPL rivals Picton. This could be a tough season for Cringila without this trio.

Players to watch

Joel Craig has NPL League 2 experience with Macarthur, and his move from the Rams to the Lions is surely Cringila’s best hope of having a bite in front of goal. Caius Don was a wise signing from relegated Bellambi. His height and strength will sure up Cringila’s defence. And it will be interesting to watch how Jarryd King fits in at Crehan Park, since Higgs chose to bring him over from District League side Berkeley Sports.

Season expectation

I predict Cringila to be propping up the ladder at the end of the 2016 season. There was little joy for the Lions in the pre-season Fraternity Cup, and although you can’t always judge a full season on the basis of a pre-season tournament, the players they have lost from 2015 – a season in which they already struggled and finished tenth of twelve – suggest 2016 could be even harder. They didn’t even get much joy out of a potential romantic cup run in this year’s FFA Cup, drawing a Bye in the first round and getting familiar foes in Wollongong United in the next round. Win that tie, and the season might just turn around for them.

By Simon Duffin