Recently released Richmond pair Samuel Catherine and Travis Chalk-Hatton have found new homes in NPL2 signing with Dandenong Thunder and Box Hill United respectively.
A no-nonsense central midfielder, Catherine joins NPL2 table-toppers Thunder following the departures of Lewis Foster and Amir Osmancevic, with the latter joining city rivals Dandenong City.
Formerly of Knox City and Box Hill United, he joined Richmond ahead of the 2015 NPL1 campaign, helping Rick Mensink’s side gain promotion to the top flight.
However his game time was restricted this season at Kevin Bartlett Reserve following the arrivals of Jake Barker-Daish and Nick Kokolakis, making only five appearances in the NPL.
He moves to George Andrews Reserve after featuring 31 times in the league for Richmond, scoring twice, and is expected to make his debut for the Thunder in next week’s visit to the Whittlesea Ranges.
Chalk-Hatton returns to Wembley Park having featured 23 times for Box Hill last season, scoring nine league goals, and is comfortable in both the centre of defence and up front as a number nine.
Impressive performances against Richmond last term led Mensink to sign the tall versatility, who featured seven times for the club before his departure last week.
He featured in yesterday’s 2-0 defeat away to Moreland Zebras, which also saw former Hume City, Springvale White Eagles and Goulburn Valley Suns winger Abel Fesseha make his debut.
Heading out the exit door at United however is last season’s top scorer Lucas Johns, who joins State League One side Manningham United, former Thunder midfielder Michael Gerace, ex-Pascoe Vale utility Connor Kass and versatile midfielder Sebastian Barrero.
Greg Kassidas’ side will be hoping to return to winning ways next week after two successive losses when they host Werribee City next as they look to keep pace with second-placed Kingston City.
Image: Richmond Soccer Club