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The final pieces of the Illawarra Premier League All-Stars versus South Coast Wolves friendly match have come together, as Football South Coast announced the All-Stars line-up yesterday.
After several weeks deliberating and checking availability, All-Stars and Port Kembla coach Stuart Beedie named a 16-man squad to face the region's premier team at John Crehan Park on February 26.
He picked a mix of players from eight of the competition's 12 teams.
Port Kembla, Bulli, Tarrawanna, Wollongong United, Wollongong Olympic, Cringila, Albion Park and Dapto Dandaloo are all represented for the one-off fixture.
"It wasn't easy. I think the standard overall in the competition last year was pretty good," Beedie said.
"I am happy with the squad we have put together and certainly the response from the players has been pretty good.
"The guys who have made the grade should be pretty proud of their achievements.
"They should treat as a bit of an honour as such, or a bit of respect from Football South Coast that they are considered to be up there as one of the best players in the district."
Beedie will get just one session with the squad before the pre-season hit-out and said he regarded player fitness as pivotal in selecting his line-up.
In a team stacked with attacking talent, he believes the All-Stars defence could play a central role.
"The defenders are really the unsung heroes if you like, so it was a bit tricky [selection] in that regard," he said.
"They are all individually very competent players.
"It is a challenge for them to go in together when they are thrown in as a back four and showing they can adapt with the players around them at a decent level."
Wolves attacking threats Peter Simonoski, Ricky Zucco and Mitchell Del Turco will undoubtedly have the makeshift back four under pressure for the entire 90 minutes.
All three players have been in goal-scoring form in the Wolves' opening two preseason wins, including the scalp of National Premier League champions Sydney United.
Their inaugural clash with the All-Stars gives them another chance to get momentum rolling before the 2014 campaign.