Wilkinson Sword Winter League Champions Neptunes Vodafone’s first displays this year were a clear reflection of the Reds’ determination to succeed this year. The National League championship has eluded the Balluta Bay team for several years but coach Sergio Afric is optimistic that 2006 will bring an end to this long wait for the title, continuing where Neptunes left off last season with the KO victory, and earlier on this season with the Wilkinson Sword Waterpolo Winter League victory.

In their choice of foreign player, Neptunes have opted for experience with their signing of Croatian player Dubravko Simenc. Born in1966 in Zagreb, Croatia, “Dudo”, as he is commonly known, has won all honours, time and time again in a glittering career spanning over 20 years.

In 1995, he had turned out for San Giljan winning the local championship, a feat he hopes to repeat this year with Neptunes during the Wilkinson Sword National Water Polo Championship, thus bringing down the curtain on a truly glorious and unique career, before moving on to coaching, to pass on all his secrets to the lucky ones who will be under his charge.

Moving on to the local players, the Neptunes squad is a well-balanced mix of youth, enthusiasm and experience. Despite his young age, twenty one year old Niki Gouder, a product of Neptunes, is in his 4th consecutive season as Neptunes' first choice goalkeeper. A reliable and steady performer, he is a worthy successor to his mentor Adrian Cachia, who won 6 championships with Neptunes.

Twenty five-year-old Niki Lanzon, a product and captain of Neptunes, has been voted ASA player of the year in 2001 and 2004. He is a strong swimmer, always dangerous in attack and consistently a leading scorer of goals for Neptunes. He is one of the most naturally gifted players in the game.

Twenty four year old Karl Galea is also a product of Neptunes. He’s an attacker who besides scoring many goals, creates many goal-scoring opportunities with the expulsions gained in the centre, through his determination, fighting spirit and never-say-die attitude. Karl is very sharp and is always ready to pounce on any opportunity in the 4 metre area.

Although only 19 years of age, Steve Camilleri, a product of Neptunes, is already an automatic choice for both club and country. He was even Malta’s top scorer in the recent European ‘B’ Championships held in Slovenia. Though still maturing, he is proving himself to be one of the most talented players in the local game.

Aged 20, John Brownrigg is an upcoming member of the squad, having come through all the junior squads at Neptunes. Despite his young age, he has already made a name for himself as a powerful centre and strong swimmer, and is a valid alternative to Karl Galea in the central attacking position.

Twentyfive-year-old Edward Cachia, also a product of Neptunes, is an established and reliable defender, who also finds the time to score precious goals. He is crucial when intercepting opposing teams’ attacks, and setting up those of his team, with his strong swimming and accurate passing.

Matthew Pisani, 28, has joined Neptunes in 2002 from Sliema. He is a hard worker who, with his constant swimming, experience and determination, gives a vital contribution in all areas of the pitch whether in attack or defense.

David Camilleri, aged 31 years, has spent all his career with Neptunes and is the only member of the current squad who was in the last Neptunes team to win the league in 1993. One of the strongest and most effective defenders in the game, he also boasts a strong shot. Being one of the two left handed players in the team, he also provides the coach with precious tactical alternatives.

Michele Stellini, aged 22 years, is also a Neptunes product whose most marked characteristic is his powerful and deadly shooting. Left-handed and also a strong swimmer, besides concluding attacks, he also creates many scoring opportunities with his fast breaks.

One of the few players who also forms part of the U/19 team, Luke Attard, aged 18, is another player who has made it though the various age-group squads at Neptunes. Still gaining in experience, he is equally at ease in marking opponents and helping to build up attacks from defensive positions.

Twenty year-old, Andrea Sammut, also a Neptunes product, has successfully guarded the Neptunes goal-posts for the past years at juniors level. Though often restricted to deputising for Niki Gouder in the senior squad, he is a talented and dedicated goalkeeper in his own right.

One of the most promising players from the junior squads, Timmy Agius, a product of Exiles and just 16 years old has been called up to form part of the senior squad to help him gain valuable experience.

Sixteen year-old Ryan Mock, grandson of Charlie Mock who needs no introduction in waterpolo circles, and son of Peter (ex-San Giljan player), also included with the senior squad in the Winter League and another of Neptunes’ bright prospects for the future.

Ryan Sciortino joined Neptunes this year from Marsascala, and though only 15 was a member of the winning Winter League team. Considered to be a promising goalkeeper, he has time on his side to continue developing his talent.