APIA Leichhardt Tigers hungry for 2017 success
The 2016 PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s season was one that won’t be remembered very fondly by APIA Leichhardt and its fans.
The club, although starting off on the right track failed to live up to the team’s high expectations and finished in eighth spot.
The Lambert Park faithful have been starved of success and are hoping that 2017 will be the year for their team to rediscover their winning form.
However, the pressure will be on and another slow start could have serious repercussions.
The Coach
Danial Cummins – Taking over as head coach of the club mid-way through the 2016 season, Danial Cummins displayed flashes of the coaching ability which helped him win the APIA top job.
Cummins has climbed his way up the coaching ranks at APIA after a career as a player in the old NSL and is held in high regard in coaching circles.
With a full preseason to help get his team playing on the same page expect Cummins to have his APIA side playing a more coherent style.
Objectives
Nothing less than challenging for the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s title will be accepted by the top brass at APIA.
After a mediocre season in 2016, expectations will be higher than ever at Lambert Park.
A top four spot is in the Tiger’s sights with a winning start to the season more important than ever.
Player To Watch
Franco Parisi – No man has been as influential at APIA in recent seasons as Tigers midfielder Franco Parisi.
The mercurial midfielder has been the heartbeat of the Lambert Park club and that remains the case in 2017.
Able to turn a game with a few touches of the ball, an in-form Parisi often means success for APIA.
Expect big things from the veteran as he sets out to bounce back from a disappointing 2016 season.
Will it be a case of supporters shouting “Too easy for Parisi” in 2017? Only time will tell.
Rising Star
Brandon Lundy – Striker Lundy will have his sights set on fighting his way back to the A-League after making three starts at the Newcastle Jets in 2016.
Only 20 years-old, Lundy failed to turn his impressive performances with the Jets Youth team into a long term deal with the A-League side and he left to join APIA at the end of last season.
Capable of playing both up front or on the wing, Lundy has the ability to be one of the competition’s most exciting stars.
Coaches Comments
“We are a club with high standards and high expectations with anything short of a top three finish simply not good enough.
“This offseason we have worked hard at fixing the gaps we had last season and everyone is determined to bring this club back to the top in 2017.”
Ins
Matthew West
Josh Symons
Luke Turnbull
Outs
Nick Olsen
Nathan Elasi
