FOOTBALL is booming in Korora as the Northern Storm head into round 2 of the Australia Cup against the Westlawn Tigers on Sunday 19 February at Barnier Park, Grafton.
Over 57 players have trained and trialed at Korora since January in preparation for the Australia Cup and the upcoming 2023 NCF Premier League.
Co-coach Craig Caruana attributed the bumper numbers to the enthusiasm of juniors hungry to progress into senior football.
“There’s a lot of young kids coming through the system, a couple of new guys to the club and players from the last campaign,” he said.
“We had our first hit out on the weekend and it was pleasing to see.
“We scored seven goals so it’s hard to single out any individual performances.
“That said, we had a young 16-year-old Gurkirit Dhariwal who played his first game of senior football in reserves and then he backed up and kept a clean sheet for first grade.
“He made three outstanding saves in first grade which he had no right to save any of them.
“That was pleasing, especially since young Charlie Shipperley has gone back to play with his mates as an outfield player.
“He’s a hard boy to replace but when someone steps up like that, you know you’re in safe hands.
“Our back line was absolutely brilliant Jared Kohler, Geoff Ogers and Bradey Megarry in particular were outstanding.
“In the midfield Connor and Campbell Brear absolutely dominated the game.
“They both scored two 35-yard screamers into the top corner.
“No goalkeeper was saving them, and you know when it’s your day, it’s your day.
“We have a couple of young 16-year-olds that are new to the club straight from the NPL system and one from Sydney.
“They made an instant impact, after only a couple of touches they went one-on-one with the keeper and slotted home; it was very pleasing.
“We had guys that were losing the ball and tracking back 60 yards and actually making the tackle, not just getting back in a position but winning the ball.
“It’s a 90-minute game and you have to compete for every play, how we regained possession was a real positive,” said Craig.
The second-round tie kicks off at 3pm at Barnier Park, Grafton and it’s free-entry.
