Two Vikings to shape up Jets

GREAT LAKES ADVOCATE

GREAT Lakes Vikings don’t have much to celebrate this season, but the team coming second last in the Northern Premier League has two players lining up against the Under 20 Newcastle Jets on Saturday.
Football Mid North Coast’s Under 19 team boasts the region’s brightest young round-ball talent, and Vikings Beau Wynter and Brae Smith are getting noticed.

Colossal midfielder Wynter made the team last year, and has made an impression on Mid North Coast manager Col Purcell.

“Beau caught our eye with his obvious size and physical presence, and he talks a lot on the field,” Purcell said.

“He was one of the first players picked. He’s certainly an above-average 19-year-old.”

Attacking midfielder Smith can push further forward to be a target up front. It was an option Purcell couldn’t pass up.

“He’s very busy in the midfield, and his ability to distribute and put in through balls is outstanding.”

Vikings manager Peter Summers said the pair won’t be out of their depth against the junior Jets at Port Macquarie Regional Stadium.

“They both have extremely good ball skills, and they’re both very fit,” he said.

“They track back in defence and read the game really well. They’re the kind of complete players scouts look for.”

Summers said the young Vikings stars are indispensable, but knows he may not be able to hold onto them.

“[Coach] Jeff [Summers] and I believe they could go on to higher honours,” he said.

“The next logical step is the Newcastle NBN league, and then maybe onto the national league with the Jets or Central Coast Mariners.”

Purcell knows his young charges need to be on their game against the Jets’ whiz-kids.

“They have their pick of players from the whole of Australia,” he said.

“It’s a very high standard.”

FMNC Under 19 Vs Newcastle Jets Under 20 kicks off 12pm Saturday.