James Murphy
APOLLO Football Club will have its eyes on the ultimate prize when the 2022 Steeline Limestone Coast Football Association season kicks off this Sunday.
The boys from Webb Street made the grand final last year but fell short to Gambier Centrals.
However, with minimal player movement and a couple of handy additions, A Grade coach Jamie Stephenson is excited for his team to pick up where it left off and hopefully go one better this time around.
“It is very hard in this league to be able to keep players,” he said.
“This is my fifth year of coaching the seniors and it is the first time I have had pretty much the same team two years in a row.
“It is exciting we have been able to keep most of our players.”
The side is not without its losses, with reigning Apollo best and fairest Adam Walker a big out from the backline, while goal keeper Jimmy Kipping also moves on, working and playing in Adelaide.
That gives Jesse Widdison the opportunity to step up into the senior keeper position, a role he is no stranger to.
“Jesse Widdison is a great goalie – I would probably pick him in the top three goalies in the league,” Stephenson said.
“He is very athletic and always gets the job done against the big teams.”
Stephenson also has a replacement in mind for Walker, with high hopes for talented defender So Chree Htoo as he decides to step up from Reserves this year.
Another exciting inclusion is the recruitment of Robbie Nagy, who has joined the club and is looking fitter than ever.
“Having an experienced head and a very knowledgeable soccer brain, he is good to have in the team as well,” Stephenson said.
Gay Nay Say Ler and Shar Nay Than have also journeyed across to Apollo to add further depth to the team’s young talent.
With a solid Under 17 side in 2021, Stephenson looks forward to the inclusion of Ruben Van-Eyk and Cain Elise into the senior roster.
“They are two really good players coming up from the Under 17’s with power and pace,” he said.
Apollo’s season will start with a big game, as it hosts International for Sunday’s Round 1 bout.
“It is going to be a big test, especially after knocking them off in the semi final last year,” Stephenson said.
“They will want revenge and they will want to start the season strong.
“It should be a really good spectacle.”
