Image: Stanko Dugandzic
When North Geelong midfielder Andrew Doig arrives at The Grange Reserve tonight, don’t be surprised if the new Warriors midfielder ends up mistakenly walking into the home team dressing room.
The Scot spent three years at the club, eventually captaining City during the 2015 campaign and has a deep affinity with many who associate themselves with his former employers.
But tonight, sentiment goes out the window as the hard-working central midfielder goes in search of victory for his new employers.
The 29-year-old was a late season signing for the 1992 VPL Champions after departing Moreland City during the summer.
Two starts from their opening two league games has followed with Doig adding a goal and an assist to his name as Micky Colina’s side showcased their competitive nature only to fall short from grabbing maximum points.
A promising 1-1 away draw at Pascoe Vale was followed by a 2-1 home defeat to the Bentleigh Greens, a game in which the Warriors were left to rue numerous opportunities to double their lead after going 1-0 up thanks to Doig’s fantastic debut strike.
“The result against Bentleigh Greens was especially disappointing. Going in at half time we should have been in a better position. It’s mentally tough in those situations and we will be looking to further grow our belief and be ruthless in those situations,” Doig claimed.
“We are creating plenty of chances and we have to do a better job of converting them. We are playing well. We have a system that works well, we need to keep working every week to improve it and add efficiency and consistency,” emphasised the combative midfielder.
Born in Edinburgh, Doig played his youth football at Hearts in the Scottish capital before moving to Livingston in his mid-teens. A professional youth contract at the club followed before the then-Scottish Premier League outfit entered administration as he continued to pile his football in the country’s semi-professional ranks.
A move down under in 2010 saw him feature for Shepparton South in the regional league before moving to Melbourne the following year and being a part of Hume City’s senior squad. Brief stints at Brunswick and Sunshine George Cross preceded his move to Clayton South in 2013.
Lara-based North Geelong is his eighth club in Victoria and the Scot is feeling right at home in his new surroundings as he prepares to vacate his St. Kilda residence and move down the coast to Torquay in the forthcoming months.
“Life at Elcho Park has been great so far. I have no complaints at all. Everything is positive and the atmosphere and playing group are magnificent. The culture and roots are something that suits me as a player and I feel at home there.”
Doig further emphasised his admiration for the Warriors who are celebrating their 50th birthday this term, having been founded by working class Croatian migrants in 1967.
“I have to say it has been great so far. The club, fans and the players have been especially welcoming. And that just makes me want to work hard and do well for this club. They do have a deep history and belong in the NPL. I’m relishing the chance to help the club stay in the NPL and grow.
“The fans are something else and I was over the moon to get a goal for them on my home debut.”
With tonight’s game pitting Doig up against his former side, the former Doncaster Rovers player will carry on with his usual pre-game preparations and is not letting the nature of the fixture get to him.
“I’m feeling very excited and what to get this game underway. I will be taking the game as I take every game, nothing knew there,” he said.
“A win is always at the top of my priorities leading into a game, even though I will be extra happy to beat them, it’s the same preparation as every week.”
Having failed to settle down at a club level in Melbourne following his arrival in 2011, the man affectionately referred to as ‘Dingo’ by his former City teammates was overjoyed by his three-year stint at Kingston, which coincided with their admission into NPL2 and two respectable mid-table finishes in 2014 and 2015 respectively, with the Scot making 44 appearances in two seasons in the second tier.
However, since then Doig has felt restricted with his playing role and is enjoying work under Colina down the Princess Freeway.
“I enjoyed my time at Kingston. I met some lifelong friends there: George Stavridis, Velibor Mitrovic and of course Nick Tolios to name a few, so in that respect it was great,” Doig noted.
“After I moved on I realized each year I was a little restricted, the way I was playing was more to suit the team and people I was playing with, which you have to do if that’s what the gaffer wants and I was happy to do it.
“But the role Micky Colina has got me doing has giving me a new lease of life and I’m thoroughly enjoying my football again”, concluded the Scotsman.
Having previously had limited experience in the state’s top flight, Doig is now enjoying his time at the top level and is committed to ensure the Warriors collect three points from tonight’s visit as well as ensure their status in the NPL.