Q&A with St George FC Coach Fabian Miceli
- WE ARE JUST OVER HALF WAY IN THE COMPETITION WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS SO FAR?
It has been a good start. We are playing the way I want to play.
We are sitting just off the top six and we are well placed.
We have played really good football in the first half of the season.
- IT IS FAIR TO SAY THE TEAM HAS SURPRISED SOME PEOPLE WITH THEIR PERFORMANCES?
Yes, it is fair to say. We were written off by many – we were relegation candidates. I think we have surprised people with our football and we are doing better than many expected.
- IS THE TEAM WHERE YOU EXPECTED TO BE AT THIS STAGE?
I was always optimistic with the team. We have a team good enough to challenge for the finals. Our players have been outstanding – we have only had twelve outfield players due to injuries and still managed to be competitive.
We have done better than expected- the team has been very good
- INJURIES AND SQUAD DEPTH HAVE HURT YOUR PROGRESS?
Definitely. It has been difficult. In the last 30 minutes of matches we get tired; we are using 12 to 13 players maximum. I cannot remember the last time we used 5 substitutes. We have been ahead in 12 out of 16 games so far- we have won 6 of the 12.
Because of the injuries, our depth has been tested, and it makes it so hard for players having to play the full match (90 minutes plus
- WHAT ARE YOU MOST PLEASED WITH SO FAR THIS SEASON?
The way we are playing, our “brand” is pleasing to watch.
We are playing such good entertaining football.
Our players have “bought in “to what we are doing- their attitude, commitment and effort, cannot be faulted.
- HAS ANYONE SURPRISED YOU AT THIS STAGE?
Jayden Seeto has been outstanding. He is young, he is a left back who we moved to centre back, which is a most difficult position. He has adapted so well. He has been so good playing the full 90 minutes
He was Man of the Match against Sydney FC last week.
- THIS IS YOUR FIRST SEASON AS NPL COACH WITH ST GEORGE FC AND TO HAVE THEM WELL PLACED IN 7TH PAST THE HALF WAY STAGE IS A BIG COMPLIMENT TO YOU AND YOUR COACHING TEAM?
The proudest thing for me is to be at a club like St George FC with its big, rich history. It is humbling for me. Our players are outstanding human beings and football players.
What they have achieved so far, is amazing.
- IS MAKING THE TOP SIX A POSSIBILITY?
It is for sure. I want to make top six.
I am a winner; I think we have the tools to make top six.
To do it in my first season with the club would be unbelievable.
Talking top six when many were tipping, we would get relegated speaks for itself.
- YOU HAVE PLAYERS LIKE YELCHAN AND AIDAN O’SHEA COMING BACK FROM INJURIES, THIS WILL HELP?
Absolutely. Nikola Skataric is back on Sunday-he will play Under 20’s against Rockdale. He has been out for 12 months.
Jacob Fakhoury an 18-year-old right fullback has been out since last October with a broken bone in his foot. He will be back for the upcoming Mt Druitt match
- REGARDLESS OF WHAT YOU AND YOUR TEAM ACHIEVE IN 2025 YOU HAVE LAID THE GROUNDWORK FOR A GOOD 2026 WITH THE EXPERIENCE FOR THE YOUNG PLAYERS?
Definitely. Gaining knowledge on how we want to play is so important.
The players are starting to understand the way we want to play.
This means it will become second nature to them next season which will also help with their confidence in our playing system.
- ARE YOU LOOKING FOR ADDITIONS IN THE TRANSFER WINDOW?
We are looking.
We have lost players to season ending injuries including Thomas Brown and, Anthony Morabetto. We have also been without Trelawney Brown.
The focus is on building some depth in our defence
- THE TEAM HAS BEEN VERY COMPETITIVE IN MOST MATCHES – THE CLOSING STAGES HAS BEEN A PROBLEM – PLAYER FATIGUE -SWITCH OFF?
We haven’t conceded a goal in the last three games.
It is difficult to compete with teams that make five changes and can still bring on experienced players.
We can only bring on two maximum, we cannot compete with the stronger clubs with their playing squad depth.
We have 12-13 players playing 90 minutes.
It would be nice to give some rest to our defensive players
- YOU HAVE TWO OF THE LEAGUE’S LEADING GOALSCORERS WITH BAI ANTONIOU AND JAYDEN CASELLA EACH SCORING 7 GOALS – THE ATTACK HAS SCORING OPTIONS?
Both players are right up there as two of the best forwards in the NPL.
They have scored 14 goals between them.
Bai will argue he should have one more from the game against Spirit that he wasn’t credited with making it 15 goals between the air.
They have provided loads of assists; both are winners who are roaring to win every game.
Without a doubt Bai Antoniou has been one of the best signings in the NPL
THE CAPTAIN- TROY DANASKOS- A GREAT LEADER.
Troy typifies what St George FC is about.
He is a 33-year-old that runs like he is 18.
He does not stop.
He is constantly running up and back for the full 90 minutes.
He is a great leader.
A wonderful role model.
He has all the qualities of a true captain- he shows his team the way.
We speak regularly on the phone.
We are most fortunate to have Troy as our Captain
- THANKS FOR YOUR TIME COACH
