FOOTBALL
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Port Kembla junior Corey Gameiro has undoubtedly already given Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold a welcome selection headache.
The local striker has been in scintillating form this preseason, scoring a remarkable 11 goals in eight matches including a brace against Premier League club West Ham United.
It comes at a vital time for him after the Sky Blues heavily recruited in their attacking third in the off-season.
Sydney brought in new marquee man Marc Janko, one of club's favourite sons Alex Brosque, former A-League golden boot winner Shane Smeltz and A-League All-Star Bernie Ibini in a huge revamp of their squad.
But of all the big names, it has been Corey who has set the Sky Blues alight.
He has set an exciting platform for the campaign ahead, after his preseason last year was interrupted by an unfortunate injury sustained while filming a TV promotion for the competition.
A year down the track, he looks fit as a fiddle and more hungry than ever to stake his claim for a spot in what could be a title-contending Sydney side.
As a striker, there is no substitute for getting on the scoresheet and he's been doing that at will in recent weeks.
He rounded out an impressive Townsville Football Cup tournament with the opening goal in last Saturday's 2-0 final win over Brisbane Roar.
Alongside him in the Townsville winning squad were fellow Illawarra products Pedj Bojic and Matt Jurman, with Helensburgh's Aaron Calver also on the bench.
Pedj is working towards playing a full campaign after an injury-interrupted first season in the harbour city while Jurman has put in solid displays to try to cement his spot in the Sky Blues back four.
Their presence at the Sky Blues, alongside Brendan Santalab's at Western Sydney Wanderers, ensures the region won't go unrepresented in this season of the A-League.
Santalab also has a chance to play a huge role in the Wanderers ground-breaking Asian Champions League run this season.
Elsewhere, former Mariners keeper and Wollongong local Justin Pasfield looks to have revitalised his career in his first stint in Singapore with Tampines Rovers, and could extend his stay overseas.