Allport all set for Coniston challenge
Former Illawarra Premier League championship winning coach Jeff Allport is confident he has what it takes to lead Coniston to a successful campaign on their return to the top flight after a six-year hiatus.
Allport, who has been to two grand finals the last three seasons, has seen enough positives over the preseason where they secured a second-place finish in a Fraternity Club Cup group which contained Wollongong Olympic, Bulli and Fernhill to believe his side have a chance of playing finals football.
“We have worked very hard in the time that I have been here and we’ve got to know each other really well,” Allport said.
“We genuinely need to focus on making the top five, hand on heart I mean that and I have said that to the boys since I first came here… the preseason has firmed my belief that we can make [the top five].”
Coniston start the season at JJ Kelly Park where they sealed promotion on the final day of last season and they welcome rivals Wollongong United who Allport coached to last year’s decider.
Allport will be the first to admit his year at Macedonia Park was a rollercoaster ride but he believes he grew as a coach and looks forward to taking United on in round one.
“It had to be that way, out of all the sides that is probably the one game I wanted to have first up,” he said.
“It was a difficult season… [it helped] with character building because of all the highs and the lows but I tried to remain consistent, stay true to my values in the way I wanted my side to play and over the journey of my career I think that runs true.”
“United are the opposition now, we will rip and tear into each other for 90 minutes but we will have a laugh about it after the game.”
When pushed on the differences between the two clubs, Allport pointed to expectations while suggesting Coniston have plenty of players with something to prove.
“The expectations at United was very high and that was added to by our performances in the preseason cup,” Allport explained.
“Here we have kept the core group of players which did very well in first division last year but everyone realises [the Illawarra Premier League] is a step up, me included — in terms of taking a group of players and moulding a squad for their first season in the Premier League.”
“There are some seasoned players that are looking to test themselves again at this level and I am looking forward to seeing how they go.”
“Mark Picciolini showcases some skills that I don’t think too many other players have in the Premier League, this is a big opportunity for him and Dinko Terzic who can be anything if he puts his mind to it.”
Coniston’s first three Premier League matches are at home, but first they must navigate past Community League side Albion Park City in round three of the FFA Cup at Ian McLennan Park on Wednesday night.
