Even during the pre-season it was bewildering to see the side unable to beat a rank Division One side like Ashfield who clearly have not taken it seriously with mixing up and rotation of starting elevens during the competition. This years format along with the friendlies played so far has now (from the outside) rendered us unable to carefully judge where we are at. The impressive (on paper at least) cricket like scores against the likes of Shamrock, Southern Spirit and Canning City has the fans wondering - what are we in for in 2012?
It was bizarre to hear some fans on the way out on Friday mutter comments like "Don't worry check out how bad Sorrento, Armadale, Joondalup are and now look at the Knights getting spanked by Perth" . Sorry you folks but above us is the sky and making such comparisons is irrelevant - as we are Floreat Athena and besides, all four of those clubs finished above us in 2011 when we arguably had a considerably better and more experienced side. Whilst senior coach Chris Barbas was quoted after game two vs Spirit as saying "......but were not feeling any pressure to defend the title of Night Series champions." the fans can assure the players, the coaches and the Board - they they universally felt and expect the pressure.
As of today in the eyes of the fans, several neutral pundits and this blogger - the side appears to be lacking in overall depth in quality. A quick glance to the youth on the park and then bench over the night series confirmed this. The signings of imports such as Wilson and Harris and WAPL super star Boi have been impressive and utterly essential for survival. However, it is clear a few weeks out from the start of season that the overall loss of quality such as established first team players - Isaia, O'Connell and Kovacevic, plus the axing of Vujacic and Cattalano along the shock departures of the van Dongen twins, club captain Julian Madaschi and keeper Alex Dunn (all in space of a week) - are yet to be fully replaced "like for like" and have left major challenges to the coaching staff and to what appears from the stands to be an almost 'hands on' team management approach from certain senior Board members.
Too often in WAPL attempts to play out junior development programs at the adult level have failed if not only in results but also in the entertainment factor for the fans. In fact this blogger is unaware of where it has worked previously. A commonly cited reason for flushing player stocks with youth is financial savings - however in our case the signings of alone Wilson, Harris and Boi would arguably place them in the top WAPL pay brackets and certainly higher than any of the departed list above. So unless all the kids are playing for petrol money one would doubt any budget savings in 2012 as there obviously were last season.
Patience from the faithful was the resounding trait required by Athena fans throughout season 2011 where we saw the beginnings of a very structured youth and development initiative at the club for the first time essentially since 1997. This patience was supported not only with the glee that comes with a night series trophy but also in the confidence that that several long term loyal and high quality established players and coaches remained at the club. Overall it is commendable that the club still has the courage to hold development as a firm target. Similarities with last season can be noted with the blend of inexperience and youth. And again patience and support from the faithful is what is required as this work is progressed hopefully into the realms of success.
Where we are at in this work in progress will begin to take shape with match of the round in the opening weekend - arguably WA Football's biggest fixture Floreat Athena FC vs Perth SC Sunday March 25 2012, Litis Stadium. Lets just quietly say they look in great shape to wrest back the night trophy they feel that they have owning rights over and set themselves on sail for 4 WAPL's in a row. The define bench mark and personally with six years FAFC Board experience I personally know the challenge of working hard towards that bench mark.
As we enter another season in the battle for football supremacy in the WAPL Athenista urges all blue blood fans to become members of Floreat Athena FC and attend, support and sing their blue hearts and lungs out for the lads and their coaches home and away, day and night , rain, hail or shine!
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