Leo Mazis

MAZIS JETS OUT OF ITALY 

Only 19 days after Triestina took a chance on Belconnen United product Leo Mazis, the 19-year old has had his contract at the Serie C club mutually terminated. 

The club released a statement citing personal reasons for his departure after he switched the bright lights at Celtic for the Italian club. 

"To the young midfielder we wish him good luck for his career hereinafter and his life off the field is rich in satisfaction." 

It's an unfortunate development for Mazis as the talented midfielder looked set to work his way into a men's first team in Trieste. 

FTBL sought comment from the players' representatives. 

Jackson Irvine

IRVINE ON THE OUTER? 

A lot can happen in a week. Jackson Irvine was given the captain's armband in February. But only a few weeks after being awarded the honours, it looks like the armband might be snatched off him as the Tigers inch closer towards relegation. 

Irvine was an unused sub last week for Hull in a 4-0 loss to Leeds, seemingly dropped for poor form according to the English press.

The words of Manager Grant McCann won't instill much confidence in him either, who thought goalkeeper George Long could be a long-term fit for captain. 

"One hundred pre cent," said McCann. "George is a top, top keeper, a top boy and a top pro.

"He does everything right, leads his life right and it was no problem to give George the armband." 

McILLHATTON HITS THE STATES 

Those who keep tabs on the NPL in New South Wales would have seen APIA Leichhardt's Sam McIllhatton pictured at the international departures in Sydney this week. 

The Mixer has been informed that the player - who was an integral part of APIA's championship winning season last year  has joined The Villages SC in USL League Two on a one-year deal. 

It is essentially the fourth division in the United States and is the youngster's first time playing overseas. McIllhatton told The Mixer he has a US passport, thanks to his mother's allegiance, making the transition a lot smoother. 

The youngster holds high ambitions to make it big in the MLS.

IT'S TIME FOR THE MATILDAS

The Matildas had a fan meet and greet session at their open training session in Newcastle yesterday (check out FTBL later today for pics) ahead of the crucial first leg of their Olympics qualifier clash with Vietnam.

And in among the usual smiles, hairbands and ribbons was a more unusual accessory on the training field - a surprising number of Apple Watches being worn.

Normally players have little more than a GPS tracker at training, but yesterday almost the entire squad were sporting one of Apple's gems.

Notable exceptions were Sam Kerr, Emily van Egmond and Alanna Kennedy who went bare-wristed while Aivi Luik stuck with a rival brand.

Unfortunately it's not part of a new FFA sponsorship deal with the tech giant but part of their training monitoring which sees them wearing them back at their clubs too so Matildas coaching staff can keep an eye on their workload and conditioning from afar.