Wolves Need A Recharge
Illawarra Mercury
Thursday April 5, 2001
Have the wheels fallen off?
That's the question being asked by Wolves fans now that their team has won only one of their last five games.
It's not the kind of form that will get a team into the top two.
Let's face it, if you don't finish in the top two you don't have much chance of making the grand final.
South Melbourne appear certain to finish on top and either Sydney Olympic, Wollongong or Perth will be second.
Are there contributing factors to the Wolves decline?
Maybe the absence of Scott Chipperfield and players subconsciously (or otherwise) concerned about new contracts and World Club Championship bonuses.
Wolves captain Matt Horsley doesn't go along with those theories.
Horsley believes the seven games his team played under extreme conditions could be a factor.
He is of the opinion that could be ``catching up" with some players.
``Skip" also knows one good win could go a long way towards re-charging the batteries.
Wolves fans will be hoping that comes at WIN Stadium on Saturday night.
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The Wolves staged a very successful auction night at Fraternity Club on Saturday.
John Grbevski paid $2300 for an autographed, framed Wolves shirt identical to the strip used in the grand final against Perth Glory.
That was $1200 more than an autographed, framed Liverpool shirt which was snapped up by Wolves sweeper Ben Blake.
A Manchester United shirt went for $2400 and a Real Madrid shirt for $2700 - real bargains.
The club picked up more than $20,000 (nett) on the night.
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Sydney soccer fans will be without a game on Sunday.
The NSL has Marconi playing Perth Glory and the Wolves up against Sydney Olympic on Saturday night.
Both games are very important to the four clubs involved.
While Wollongong and Marconi opted for Saturday nights this season the league should have switched one of those games to Sunday.
I'm sure the Wolves would have been delighted if they had been asked to switch.
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Western Suburbs officially switched from Graham Park to Unanderra Oval on Saturday.
It opened the new season at home to Shoalhaven City.
Big Ears reports the surface wasn't the best but it will improve as the season goes on.
The switch is obviously going to please West sponsors, Wests Leagues Club.
Spectators are far more likely to drop into the club after games that they were when games were played at Graham Park.
Frank Saladino has quit Wollongong Olympic after nine seasons as team manager.
Balgownie have snapped the popular barber up to take over the same role at Judy Masters Oval.
In the first round of the new season, Saladino was up against some familiar faces when Balgownie drew 2-2 with Olympic.
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Big Ears reports the Kiama women's team have lost their coach a week before the start of the competition.
Seems the coach had his team in training for eight weeks then decided he would move to another club.
Interesting to see which team finishes higher on the table.
Contact Bob McGuiness or Larry Beringer if you would like to take over the Kiama side.
Meantime the new season kicks off on Sunday with the Bonnie Lassie knockout on two grounds at Shellharbour.
Teams between Helensburgh and Shoalhaven will take part, including newcomers Balgownie and Kiama.
© 2001 Illawarra Mercury