Images: Graeme Furlong
Heidelberg United have gotten to work to overcome their finals disappointment with the re-signings of quintet Kenny Athiu, Sean Ellis, Harry Noon, Lewis Hall and Reuben Way.
All five played major roles for the team throughout the season and put pen to paper on two-year deals.
After a semi-final defeat to eventual champions South Melbourne, the club has moved quickly to secure its key players for the 2017 campaign.
Kenny Athiu enjoyed a breakout season with 18 goals to emerge as one of the state’s premier strikers.
After deputising for Dan Heffernan and Kaine Sheppard in his first season at the club, making a few important contributions especially in the FFA Cup, he took charge of leading the line after the former left to the A-League and the latter suffered injuries, and grew into his role as an athletically-imposing target man.
It’s marked a significant rise after featuring for South Springvale, Springvale White Eagles and Box Hill United in recent years.
Scottish-born Ellis joined the club last year after being noticed for his form for Goulburn Valley Suns after featuring in Shepparton-based clubs for multiple seasons.
The winger scored 10 times and provided numerous assists from open play and set pieces, noted for his ability to swing in a curling delivery.
Former Manchester City youth Noon, who plied his trade in English lower leagues, also signed last season.
The distinctive and combative midfielder netted seven times as he raced out of the blocks at his new club before later sustaining injuries.
Despite struggling to crack back into a starting role due to the form of Jack Petrie and Lewis Hall in midfield, Noon proved a popular character amongst fans and remains in coach George Katsakis’ plans.
Hall was signed from WA club Sorrento SC after becoming a prominent member of the club’s first team squad, also featuring in an FFA Cup encounter against Sydney FC.
Signed to provide competition to Steven Pace and Luke Byles in the centre-back position, Hall instead made the defensive midfield role his own throughout 2016 and strung together a promising first season in the NPL Victoria.
Way was the first of the five players to put pen-to-paper, signing over two months ago to continue his two-year association with the club.
The left-footer has been a stalwart on the wing for Heidelberg, although he did deputise at left-back for a few games after Les Doumbalis was struck down with injury.
His highlight of the season was undoubtedly his spectacular scissor-kick goal in a 3-0 win over Avondale FC in Round Five.
Having come close to premiership and championship glory in recent years only to fall just short, the club continues in its pursuit of its first Victorian top flight title since 2001.