Passionate Brendon Santalab needs more control, says Western Sydney Wanderers coach Tony Popovic

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This was published 7 years ago

Passionate Brendon Santalab needs more control, says Western Sydney Wanderers coach Tony Popovic

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Western Sydney Wanderers coach Tony Popovic has warned Brendon Santalab to watch his on-field aggression as he prepares to make his return from a three-match ban.

Santalab hasn't played since being found guilty for striking Brisbane Roar defender Jade North last month.

Marching orders: Brendon Santalab was sent off against the Roar in Brisbane.

Marching orders: Brendon Santalab was sent off against the Roar in Brisbane.Credit: Getty Images

"We don't want him to lose that passion and aggression but he's got to do it in a more controlled manner," Popovic said. "He understands it's a part of him. It's what makes him special. But that over- exuberance is all we've got to control. There's no malice when it comes to Brendon."

Popovic said while Santalab had been "training like a player that wants to start", he was yet to decide whether the forward would be there from the kick-off. New loan recruit Terry Antonis was in the frame.

"He was very close last week and that was his first full week of training. He's continued on this week and keeps looking better each day," Popovic said. "If all goes well the next two days I expect him to certainly be a part of the squad and in contention for a start."

Newcastle will head into Sunday without Wayne Brown and Andrew Hoole. "It looks like [Aleksandr] Kokko will come in and get his first start for a while and we'll be excited to see what he can do," coach Mark Jones said.

Morten Nordstrand has also been ruled out following a concussion in Sunday's game against Perth. "So there's five days [break] from the last symptom and that takes him past the game," Jones said.

Meanwhile, Central Coast manager Paul Okon has challenged the A-League match review panel to follow the precedent shown in Besart Berisha's case and clear his striker Roy O'Donovan.

O'Donovan was sent off in Thursday night's 2-1 loss to Melbourne City in similar circumstances to the Melbourne Victory's striker's red card from a week earlier at the same venue.

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The Irishman backed into City defender Michael Jakobsen, elbowing him in the face.

Jakobsen, and goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis, reacted furiously to the first-half foul. The Dane complained vociferously to O'Donovan, while Bouzanis charged to the assistant refereee, who ultimately convinced referee Daniel Elder to wield a red card.

The biggest difference between the two incidents appeared to be intent; Berisha's foul looked clumsy, whereas O'Donovan looked back to see where Jakobsen was and made contact while jumping in the air.

Okon didn't see it, and wants a similar outcome from the tribunal.

"I would be surprised if there was someone in the stadium that thought it was a red card," he said.

"I hope common sense prevails and the match review panel look at that and clear Roy to play next week. We were punished tonight because of that decision and if he's not free to play next week that punishes us again."

Okon speared Bouzanis for his role in the brouhaha. "I'm disappointed in Dean Bouzanis," he said. "He's a good kid. I like Dean but to run out of your goal 60 metres straight up to the linesman for me is unprofessional and not fair play.

"I'd hate for one of my players to behave like that." The Mariners battled on but were defeated by third-placed City.

AAP

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