While 2015 was Green for Steven Topalovic, Daniel Visevic and Alistair Bray, 2016 won’t be as the Bentleigh Greens announced the trio would not continue on with the club for the next NPL Victoria season.
The three players were important figures in Bentleigh’s title winning charge, with Topalovic making 26 starts for the club in heart of defence since making the move from Dandenong City at the start of the year.
His form played a large part in the league’s second most miserly defence, which conceded just 24 goals from 26 league games, where he impressed immensely with his athleticism and marauding play from defence.
Visevic made 27 appearances for Bentleigh, scoring two goals from the right flank in the process.
It was a somewhat underwhelming year for the former Richmond SC and Melbourne Victory creative force who struggled to find his best football since moving from the Melbourne Knights at the start of the season.
Alistair Bray ends a three-year association with the club after another stellar season in between the sticks, which saw him earn national honours after a late season call-up to the Olyroos.
He played all but two games in the league this season and helped play his role in 11 clean sheets for his side.
Bentleigh also confirmed the departures of defender Ryan Love – who moved to Kingston City – and winger Jamie De Abreu – Port Melbourne – for the 2016 season.
The news follows on from the re-signing of captain Wayne Wallace, young keeper Ryan Scott, former South utility Dion Kirk, fullback Luke Pilkington and energetic midfielder Liam McCormick, while they’ve already added FFV Gold Medallist Kamal Ibrahim and Moreland Zebras youngster Danny Charalabous to their playing stocks for next season.