SOCCER

RHYS Craigie could be the last piece of the promotion jigsaw put together by Mornington gaffer Adam Jamieson.

The 24-year-old Scottish midfielder arrived in Melbourne just over a week ago for his second stint in State 1.

Edinburgh-born Craigie was picked up by Hearts when he was just nine-years-old and was involved with the Jambos until he was 18.

“I played one year full-time at Hearts then they released me and I signed with Stenhousemuir,” Craigie said.

In 2019 he was on holiday in Melbourne when invited to Beaumaris for a two-week trial.

He signed with Mornington’s State 1 rival and although Beaumaris finish third last that season Craigie played 19 of the club’s 22 games and polled 17 votes in the league best and fairest, finishing third five votes behind retired Mornington great Craig Smart.

Craigie had caught the eye of good judges throughout the league and fielded various approaches including one from Mornington gaffer Adam Jamieson.

“I turned him down at the time.

“I was being loyal to Beaumaris because they’d looked after me.”

Craigie returned to Edinburgh for a surprise Christmas celebration with his family and the story of him suddenly emerging from the boot of his brother’s car to the astonishment of his father appeared in the Daily Record and was the subject of a viral video.

“I came back to Beaumaris (in 2020) for five or six weeks before COVID hit and I wanted to go back home and be with my family.”

When he returned to Scotland Craigie played with Trenant Juniors until Jamieson’s persistence eventually paid off and late last year he agreed to join the Seagulls.

His first hit-out with his new club came last Tuesday night when he featured in a 2-2 draw with Springvale White Eagles at Dallas Brooks Park.

Josh Hine and Matt Harrington scored for Mornington.

The Seagulls led at the break after a Harrington corner was headed down by Josh Heaton at the back post to Hine who couldn’t miss from point blank range.

Harrington’s second half goal was a stunner.

He ran onto a long ball over the top on the right and expertly chipped the advancing White Eagles keeper and in off the far post.

Craigie’s second pre-season hitout wasn’t as positive as NSW side Glebe Wanderers beat the Seagulls 4-1 at Dallas Brooks Park on Saturday.

Despite the loss Craigie remains positive about Mornington’s promotion hopes this season.

“I’m hoping we go for the league,” he said.

“I think that’s what the club’s aim is and that’s what everyone seems to think we can achieve this year.

“And it’s a lovely club.

“The togetherness is there and after the game everyone’s having a drink and everyone’s involved.

“It’s a proper community club and it’s just a nice place to be.”

Here are the results of last week’s friendlies:

TUESDAY: Mornington 2 (Josh Hine, Matt Harrington) Springvale White Eagles 2.

WEDNESDAY: Peninsula Strikers 1 (Dakota M D’Brass) Casey Comets 4.

THURSDAY: Casey Panthers 6 Baxter 1 (Lachie McMinimee).

SATURDAY: Langwarrin 3 (Tom Youngs 2, Liam Wolstenholme) Caroline Springs George Cross 2; Mornington 1 (Cody Martindale) Glebe Wanderers 4; Peninsula Strikers 6 (Josh Botha 2, Abe Kuol 2, Jai Power, Riley Anderton) Chelsea 0; Skye Utd 2 (Mitch Blake, Yahya Yaqobi) Rowville 1; Barton Utd 0 Somerville Eagles 4 (Zach Karolidis 2, Tom Simmons, Josh, Simmons); Mount Martha 2 (Tar Vilasak pen., Mitch Hawkins) Rosebud 2 (Blake Hicks, Jakob Markulin); Boronia 2 Mentone 2 (Nic Farrell); Ringwood City 4 Aspendale Stingrays 2 (Cole Ryan, Domenic Paul).

Meanwhile the draw for the third preliminary round of the Victorian section of the Australia Cup was held last Thursday and the four local clubs involved will play at home this weekend.

FRIDAY: Frankston Pines v Lara Utd, Carrum Downs Recreation Reserve, 8pm.

SATURDAY: Mornington v Uni Hill Eagles, Dallas Brooks Park, 3pm; Skye Utd v Banyule City, Lawton Park, 3pm; Peninsula Strikers v Eltham Redbacks, Centenary Park, 3pm.

Langwarrin enters the draw for the next Cup round and ties will be played midweek.

Here are this week’s friendlies:

TUESDAY: Langwarrin v Melbourne City, Lawton Park, 7.30pm.

SATURDAY: Baxter v Noble Park Utd, Baxter Park, 1pm & 3pm; Chelsea v Knox City Premier Churches, Edithvale Recreation Reserve, 1pm & 3pm; Bendigo City v Somerville Eagles, Epsom Huntly Recreation Reserve, 12pm & 2pm; Mentone v Dandenong South, North Seaford Reserve, 12pm & 2pm;

In other news last week Football Victoria released this season’s State League fixtures with Frankston Pines, Mentone and Mount Martha getting things underway on Friday, 18 March.

Here are the first round games:

FRIDAY: Frankston Pines v Brighton, Carrum Downs Recreation Reserve, 8.30pm; White Star Dandenong v Mentone, Greaves Reserve, 8.30pm; South East Utd v Mount Martha, Knox Regional Football Centre, 8.30pm.

SATURDAY: Langwarrin v Werribee City, Lawton Park, 7pm; Mornington v Richmond, Dallas Brooks Park, 3pm; Knox City v Skye Utd, Egan Lee Reserve, 3pm; Baxter v Endeavour Utd, Baxter Park 3pm; Lyndale Utd v Somerville Eagles, Lyndale Secondary College, 3pm; Keysborough v Chelsea, Springers Leisure Centre, 7pm; Pakenham Utd v Rosebud, IYU Reserve, 3pm; Casey Panthers v Aspendale Stingrays, Prospect Hill Reserve, 3.30pm.

SUNDAY: Peninsula Strikers v North Caulfield, Centenary Park, 3.15pm.

First published in the Mornington News – 1 March 2022