By Tonci Prusac

Following the mutual parting of ways with coach Ante Skoko and his assistant Ivan Skoko, North Geelong Warriors have appointed Micky Čolina to take over the reins of the mid-table outfit.

According to a statement released by the Elcho Park-based club late on Tuesday night, “The North Geelong Warriors FC and coach Ante Skoko have mutually parted ways. We thank both Ante and (assistant coach) Ivan Skoko for their professionalism during their roles as interim coaches for the NPL season”.

“We welcome Mick Čolina to Elcho Park. After a long and illustrious playing career at St Albans Saints and a coaching resume which includes St Albans Saints, Melbourne Knights and Richmond, the club sees Micky as the perfect person to take the current squad and promising youth to the next chapter of the NPL,” the statement read.

Ante Skoko was appointed as head coach just weeks before the start of the NPL 1 season, after then head coach Ante Sarcevic – a club playing great who guided North Geelong in State League 2 – was shown the door.

The Skokos will assist incoming coach Čolina during the initial transition period.

The Warriors’ first game with their new coach will indeed be a baptism of fire at the very ground where Čolina rose to prominence as both a player and coach.

The ninth-placed Warriors will travel to Churchill Reserve on Sunday to take on the fourth-placed St Albans Saints in what is shaping up to be a mouth-watering derby. Kick-off is at 3pm.