Back to the future for D’Angelo at Oakleigh

by Damir Kulas 0

Oakleigh Cannons have announced the signing of former midfielder Dominic D’Angelo, who returns to club after a short stint with State League 3 outfit Mazenod United.

The 29-year-old previously called Jack Edwards Reserve home during the 2014 NPL season before departing the club mid-way through last season, making 36 appearances for the club in total and scoring three goals.

Also adaptable at full-back, D’Angelo enjoyed spells in the VPL with the Frankston Pines early on in his career before establishing himself at the Springvale White Eagles.

He was one of the few standouts for Zed Mihajlovic’s side during their ill-fated 2011 VPL campaign, where he made 24 appearances and scored two goals – including the opener in a 5-1 friendly defeat against Melbourne Victory.

D’Angelo then made the switch to the Bentleigh Greens in 2012 and was a starter in their 2013 Grand Final defeat at the hands of Northcote City.

After 45 league appearances and two goals for the Greens, the midfielder departed Kingston Heath Soccer Complex by joining rivals Oakleigh ahead of the inaugural NPL season.

He was one of the standouts for Miron Bleiberg’s men in 2014, winning the club’s Best and Fairest Award as the Cannons finished second on the ladder behind South Melbourne.

D’Angelo left the club in May of last year by taking up a player-coach role with Mazenod, where he featured alongside his younger brothers Nick and Rob.

Despite reportedly being courted by Pascoe Vale, the former Greens midfielder spent the majority of the pre-season trialling with the Bulleen Lions before the Cannons came calling.

He becomes the club’s seventh signing under new Head Coaches Con Tangalakis and Peter Tsolakis, joining Dimitri Hatzimouratis (Sydney Olympic), Ioannis Georgopoulos (OFI Crete), Perry Lambropoulos (South Springvale), Thomas Lakic (South Melbourne), Steven Topalovic (Bentleigh Greens) and Corey Slevin (Bendigo City) who he is expected to partner in the centre of the Cannons midfield.

The Cannons begin their new era under the two head coaches with a season-opening fixture against the Port Melbourne Sharks on Thursday 18 February at Jack Edwards Reserve.