Floreat, Cockburn ready for final
Football West News
City will be hoping to make it third time lucky after being beaten in the 2013 and 2003 finals, while Floreat lost in last year’s final but had success in the traditional pre-season tournament four years ago.
Cockburn, under the guidance of former Celtic and Perth Glory midfielder Marc Anthony, have won all five games but are wary of Floreat’s threat.
“We watched them in the semi-final against Perth and I was very impressed,” Anthony said of Athena’s 3-1 win. “The players seemed to have gelled really well. They are strong, athletic and they have flair so we know we’re going to be in for a really tough game.”
Floreat have lost just once in the Night Series and the win over Perth was evidence of their continued improvement.
Athena coach Glen Grostate has been delighted with his side’s progress.
“The boys are buzzing and are playing for each other,” he said. “If you’ve got decent players, you’ve just got to keep them together and give them a structure to work with.
“Cockburn are very organised and have a good squad but nothing changes for us. We’ve got a structure and we’ve just got to stick to it.”
Cockburn will be unable to call on new signing Harry O’Brien, from Perth Glory, due to competition regulations.
The State League Night Series final between Western Knights and Dianella White Eagles will be played as a curtain raiser at 6pm.
Click here for more on the State League final.
Match details
Percy Doyle Reserve, Duncraig
NPLWA Night Series final
Floreat Athena v Cockburn City (8.15pm)
State League Night Series final
Western Knights v Dianella White Eagles (6pm)
Floreat Athena squad: 1. Fraser GREENWOOD, 2. Blair GOVAN, 3. Jack ALLEN, 4. Aryn WILLIAMS, 5. Bobby WILSON, 6. Clayton ARNEZ, 7. Callum FRANSZ, 8. Robert GASPAR, 9. Ryan PETORIUS, 10. Andrew SCALDARERRO, 11. Dennis GALAN, 12. Kris GATE, 13. Jordon DOROPOULOS, 14. Ludovic BOI (c), 15. Anthony BAFOBUSHA, 16. Ashley CORKER, 18. Geordie PAPATHANASIOU, 20. Lewis McMAHON, 21. Sotiri THEODOSIADIS, 23. Nicholas FELEKIS
Cockburn City squad: 1. Curtis Aspen, 3. Jonathan Corness, 4. Euen Grant, 5. Alan Carroll, 6. Craig Tone, 7. Friday Zico, 8. David Araya, 9. Liam Murray, 10. Rory Paterson, 11. Devon Gibson, 12. Fiesal Zaw, 13. Blake Adams, 14. Conor Kavanagh, 15. Monty Grigo, 16. Julian Teles, 17. Eamon McNelis (c), 18. Josh Kuser, 23. Dejan Aleksic, RGK. Jack ADAMS
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