Adelaide Comets have been boosted for the 2017 PlayStation 4 National Premier League SA Season with the signing of Mitchell Nicholson (West Adelaide), Lewis Farquhar (Adelaide City) and Shannon Day (Cumberland United).
When the trio is asked what attracted them to move to the City based club, the answer is consistent; the structure, passion and direction of Comets. Head Coach Theo Tsiounis was also a big draw card.
“After meeting with Theo and having a chat about the Club, the coaching staff last season and more importantly next season, I was very impressed with the way they presented themselves and the direction Theo wanted to take the Club.” Said left-back Shannon Day.
“Although they had a fairly solid season in 2016, he wants to strive for bigger and better things, i.e. winning titles and Cups, so it was a pretty easy decision for me to join the Club after just the one meeting!” He said.
Defender Mitchell Nicholson found Comets to be the right fit for him moving forward.
“I was very grateful for everything at West Adelaide and really enjoyed playing for that great Club. My circumstances at work and family have changed since the end of last season and Comets were more than accepting to listen and try and work with me on getting the best deal for the both of us.
“Theo couldn’t have made the Club and the Team sound more appealing and welcoming. From the meetings with Theo prior to joining, I felt that he was going to be the right coach to play for as he purely wants the best for the individual, Team and Club.”
For striker Lewis Farquhar, 22, it is about development as well as the Team and Club he is joining.
“The team looked really strong and had a good set up structurally. I have known Theo for a while and he can get good form out of his players, he has a good football mindset.
“Personally I want to build on the pitch, mainly in being consistent as a player and do what I can to help us win games.”
Tsiounis is excited for the new signings which join an already impressive side.
“The new additions to the squad all come with different qualities that will improve the team. Some of the areas that we have been looking to improve include leadership and speed. These players will definitely help to strengthen these areas.
“Shannon is an experienced player that has had plenty of success at this level. He is a reliable player that offers speed, consistency and experience. He has the ability to get forward from deep positions.
“Mitch has a great understanding of the game. I have been watching him for a number of years and he is an accomplished player, with great leadership. He is a player that has a winning mentality and will be a great addition to the squad.
“Lewis is a great talent that knows where the goals are. He offers speed, has a clean finish and makes smart runs in behind opposition defenders. I will be looking to give Lewis confidence to express himself in the attacking third.”
Pre-season training is well underway for the Seniors and the recruits are adapting well.
“Considering I spent pretty much my entire career at one Club (Adelaide City, prior to Cumberland United in 2016), and being around the same players and culture, starting up at a new club is fairly new to me, but so far it has been nothing but positive.” says Day.
“I am enjoying the sessions and the different types of training. As for the players, they are a great bunch of lads who have made me feel more than welcome.”
Day relishes the opportunity to step his game up to another level.
“You can never stop improving and never stop learning, so coming to a new Club and having a new coach will just increase the amount I can improve and learn. Personally I would like to work on the defensive side of my game and also being more vocal, showing some leadership on the pitch.”
Farquhar who has been with the Club little over a week is enjoying the direction he sees the team heading towards.
“At the first few sessions I have found that the Club is looking for a winning mentality this year and to push to win the League and other trophies. The lads are good to be around and will work well as a team to get the results we are looking for.”
Nicholson is thoroughly enjoying training, albeit slightly challenged.
“Trainings have been great. Theo organises and structures everything to perfection which makes it very enjoyable and beneficial.
“We have only been back from the off-season break for a few weeks and the only negative thing I have to say is that I am not fit enough for his sessions!”
And what is Nicholson training so hard for?
“I just hope to win games with Comets and win trophies!”
Catch Day, Nicholson and Farquhar along with the entire squad at the first pre-season trial game this coming Sunday against White City.
Sunday 11 December
Elite Systems Football Centre
Adelaide Comets v White City
Kick-Off 5:00pm