YOOGALI FC Yellow Tails co-coach Rocky Marando says his club faces a challenge to usher through the next generation as they prepare to launch their Billabong Cup title defence.
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YFC face Hanwood FC in a grand final re-match on Sunday, the two clubs also battling for the Musitano Cup at Yellow Tail (Noe Santolin) Oval.
Marando, who will share coaching duties with Anthony Sergi, said YFC's squad had undergone plenty of changes from last season.
“We’ve lost quite a lot of very talented players this year. It’s going to be a bit of a transitional year squad-wise,” he said.
“Our median age has probably dropped by quite a few years. We've got a lot of 18 to 22-year-olds at the moment.
“A lot of the older boys have moved on to other things or retired.
“But it's exciting. These kids have been playing well the last few seasons and we want to see what they’ve got.”
With the Musitano Cup up for grabs, Marando expects there to be extra feeling in Sunday’s game.
The trophy is named after the late Guiseppe Musitano, who had a big influence on both clubs.
YFC hold the cup, and Marando isn't planning on relinquishing it.
“It’s a grand final replay, it’s Hanwood, it's the Musitano Cup – everyone is pumped,” he said.
“The boys are sick of training and just want to get on the field and play.”
Hanwood FC are similarly enthusiastic, but player-coach Anthony Agresta insists his side won’t be out to avenge last year’s 1-0 loss in the grand final.
“Beating Yoogali this week, it's not going to change anything from last year,” Agresta said. “We have a few new guys. It's a new year and a new comp. We start again.
“Overall, we were happy with 2014. Obviously, losing the grand final was disappointing. We made it there and we don’t think we have to change too much this year.”
Agresta will use the last two training runs to finalise his side after several players staked their claim at the Real Juice Cup a fortnight ago.
“We had a relatively young squad (at the Real Juice Cup) and used a lot of fringe and 18s players,” he said.
“It was good to see what they can do against the more senior first grade teams. We were pleased with the way the weekend turned out.”
Kick-off is at 3pm.
Off the field, YFC are asking spectators to dig deep at the game to help raise money for Rosalie Scarfo.
Rosalie, 30, has severe brain damage, hydrocephalus, vision and speech impairment, and epilepsy after contracting the toxoplasmosis virus during her mother's pregnancy.
Since 2007, Rosalie’s decline in health has made it difficult for her mother and primary carer, Sue, to transport her.
With the help of the Bill Calabria Foundation, “Doing it for Rosalie” is trying to raise $80,000 to provide a disabled access vehicle and appropriate wheelchair.
Donations will be taken at the gate and canteen. For more information on how to donate, visit www.facebook.com/4rosalie.