Insight: Bonnyrigg White Eagles

The Team: Bonnyrigg White Eagles supporters and club alike will be expecting a much more consistent season in 2012 following the disappointment of a fifth-place finish in the last campaign. The side was tipped to run over all adversaries twelve months ago following an almost perfect 2012, though Bonnyrigg never really got going in what was a very inconsistent 2011 campaign.
Some worthy additions have been made to the club with the experience of Jordan Simpson, Alex Mansueto, Mitchell Long and Luke Dukic certain to give the younger additions much guidance.
The arrival of Robbie Younis in attack fills the boots of Brad Boardman nicely following the striker?s move to Dandaloo in the Illawarra Premier League, meanwhile Long, Andres Gomes and the Gaitatzis brothers, Chris and Harris, will need to feed the target man if the goals are to be flowing.
Across the backline, and the middle of the park, Bonnyrigg seem to possess a mountain of cover and experience, something coach ?Bomber? Brown will be looking to use to his advantage once the season kicks off at the end of March.
The Coach: Bonnyrigg White Eagles coach Brian Brown will be out to ensure his side get the season off to a good start following a disappointing finish to the 2011 campaign. The White Eagles seemed unbeatable in 2010, where they reached the final before falling at the feet of Blacktown City FC, though 2011 failed to re-state that dominance with an inconsistent season that ended with a fifth-placed finish.
Brown has proven his stature as one of the best ever coaches in the NSW Premier League competition, leading a number of clubs to silverware over the years. ?Bomber? has had a very positive recruitment campaign over the off season, and the players at his disposal do seem more than capable of leading Bonnyrigg back to the top of the ladder.
Player to watch: Robbie Younis has joined Bonnyrigg following a long stint at APIA-Leichhardt Tigers, and the burly striker will have some big shoes to fill leading the White Eagles attacking line. Brad Boardman?s departure meant Brown needed to find a target man, and Younis certainly does fill that void. A mountain of muscle on the ball, the speedy striker possesses a need pass and powerful shot that has haunted many goalkeepers in the competition over recent seasons. A rather unsettled 2011 campaign at the Tigers arguably suggested the striker needed to move on into a new environment, and the challenge at Bonnyrigg may well result in Younis returning to his best form.
Rising Star: Jordan Crighton is a name to monitor this season. The youngster who can play out of defence or midfield has had a more than impressive couple of years. After helping APIA-Leichhardt Tigers to Grade-20 success last season, Crighton was rewarded with selection in the Sydney FC National Youth League side. A fine ability on the ball with speed to match a tremendous attitude on the park, Crighton will make a big contribution to the White Eagles this season.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles Squad 2012
1. Ben McNamara (Gk)
2. Alex Mansueto
4. David Vrankovic
5. Chris Tadrosse ?
6. Nikola Zonjic
7. Tynan Diaz
8. Alexandar Canak
9. Robbie Younis
10. Jordan Simpson
11. Ben Spruce
13. Nikola Stanojevic
15. Luka Dukic
16. Andres Gomez
17. Jordan Crighton
18. Chris Gaitatzis
19. Harris Gaitatzis
20. Andrew Bazi (Gk)
21. Ken Chun
23. Mitchell Long
33. Nikodin Matic (Gk)
Ins: Robbie Younis (APIA Leichhardt Tigers), Jordan Simpson, Andres Gomez (South Coast Wolves), Ken Chun, Jordan Crighton (Sydney FC Youth), Chris Gaitatzis (Omilos Nigritas Visaltiakos, Greece), Harris Gaitatzis
Outs: Shane Webb, Jamie McMaster, Nathan Elasi, Brad Boardman