Ridesic headlines Greens’ new quartet

by Staff Writers 1

Bentleigh Greens have intensified their recruitment campaign for the 2016 NPL season with the signings of four players, headlined by former Melbourne Victory defender Milos Ridesic.

Adding to capture of the promising teenager is goalkeeper Kane Pierce, ex A-League player Josh Brindell-South and left-back Nathan Tidmarsh.

19-year-old Ridesic returns to the club where he made his senior debut in 2013 before spending the next two seasons at Melbourne Victory Youth, sandwiched in between a spell with the Port Melbourne Sharks last year.

The promising centre-back also made a handful of appearances on the bench of the Victory senior side without stepping onto the park, and is expected to fill the void left by outgoing Steven Topalovic.

24 year-old Pierce joins the Greens after spending the last few years in Tasmania plying his trade for South Hobart, winning an NPL Championship for in 2014.

Originally from Palm Beach in Queensland, Pierce is a potential replacement for the departing Alastair Bray, although he will have to fend off competition from emerging youngster Ryan Scott for a spot between the sticks at Kingston Heath.

Brindell-South arrives in Melbourne after spending some time back home in Queensland with Lions FC, featuring in the FFA Cup this year as the Brisbane-based side made it to the Round of 16 of the competition.

Prior to that, the 23 year-old midfielder – who is adaptable at left-back – spent two years at the Wellington Phoenix under Ernie Merrick, making a total of four A-League appearances.

Tidmarsh completes the signings spree for the reigning Premiers after spending 2015 with Gunghalin United in the ACT NPL.

The 20-year-old fullback is rated as one of the most promising talents to come out of Canberra in recent years and also featured in the FFA Cup this year for his Canberra-based side.

The signing of the quartet comes days after the club parted company with Bray, Topalovic and Daniel Visevic, having earlier let go of Jamie de Abreu and Ryan Love from the 2015 Premiership winning side.