Image: Graeme Furlong
Coach: Andrew Marth
2016 finish: 9th in NPL, FFA Cup Round of 16 (defeated by Green Gully)
Summary: For much of last season, the Knights were comfortably mid table, sometimes threatening to push for the finals but ultimately finishing ninth. However, it was the club’s FFA Cup run that made the headlines, qualifying for the national stage for a second time and enjoying a home win over Cockburn City before eventually bowing out against Green Gully.
Ins: Kym Harris (Hume City), Elvis Kamsoba (Croydon Kings), Danny Dixon (Hume City), Jake Barker-Daish (Richmond SC), Tomislav Fadljevic (Melbourne City), Tom Cahill (Hume City), Patrick Gerhardt
Outs: Jacob Colosimo (Pascoe Vale), Chris Talajic (Whittlesea Ranges), James McGarry (Hume City), Nick Glavan (Bentleigh Greens), Stipo Andrijasevic (Bentleigh Greens), Ivan Grgic (North Geelong Warriors)
Re-signed: Caleb Mikulic, Anthony Katiforis, Joshua Brekalo, Damien Miskulin, Harry Cakarun, Robbie Zadworny, Anthony Dezic, Jason Hicks, Nikola Jurkovic, Marijan Cvitkovic, Ben Surey, Tim Purcell, Luke Jurcic, Milan Batur
***
Player Q&A: Nikola Jurkovic
How’s pre-season going? Where have you been with the team?
Pre-season is going really well, everyone looks fit. We had our pre-season trip in Echuca which was good for bonding, as well as our fitness.
What have the club’s pre-season results been?
We’ve won the pre-season Croatian Cup and beat Sydney United 4-1 in the Friendship Cup, which is very good for our momentum.
How are the new signings settling in?
Like always, it takes a couple of weeks for the boys to open up but after the Echuca trip they are already forming a good relationship with the boys.
Who are the Melbourne Knights players to watch in 2017 (new or existing) and why?
Ben Surey is back from injury and has been a vital player for the Knights over the past few years. Jason Hicks will also be a big threat to other teams this year. Fraser Chalmers as well, who always looks big in the goals. Josh Brekalo will trouble players with his pace and trickery.
Who are the some of the bigger characters off the pitch and why?
Fraser loves to throw around the banter in the side, and Milan Batur is definitely the comedian in the team for me.
Which team/player are you most looking forward to facing this year?
I’m looking forward to the original Melbourne derby because it’s for bragging rights and has been a rivalry for years, and also the Croatian derbies which bring massive crowds and are always competitive.
Which opposition club(s) have impressed you most in pre-season?
Our most competitive game was probably against Pascoe Vale. They move the ball around nicely and are also very physical.
What are the expectations/objectives in 2017?
I think if we don’t finish in the top six it will be a disappointing season for us. Also to be as successful as we can in the FFA Cup.
What’s one headline we may see about the Melbourne Knights this season?
We are a young, determined side and are hungry for some silverware.