Image: Graeme Furlong
Moreland City have announced the signings of veteran defender Felix Rosman and winger Jay Kelly as well as four key re-signings from the 2016 squad.
Rosman, who will be 40 by season’s start, moves to Campbell Reserve after two years with Bulleen, which saw him make a total of 40 league appearances for the Lions under Dominic Barba.
Beginning his senior career in the mid-90s with East Richmond, the centre-back’s most notable spell at club level was with Oakleigh in the 2000s, where he helped the Cannons win the 2006 VPL Premiership under Stuart Munro.
He departed Jack Edwards Reserve at the end of the 2009 VPL season and joined third tier Port Melbourne, helping the club achieve two promotions in three years before embarking on another season in the top-flight with the Sharks in 2013.
A season with the St Albans Saints in 2014 followed, where the stalwart played a part in Dinamo’s run to the FFA Cup Round of 16 while also making 23 league appearances.
City coach Adrian Mathers was delighted with the signature of the experienced defender, who he first tried to sign in 2014 when the club were playing third tier football in State League One.
“We originally spoke to Felix before our 2014 campaign, so he had been on our radar for some time,” Mathers said via press release.
“Flexa’s standing in our game is one to aspire to, and the body of work he has behind him, a credit to his character and professionalism.
“He has fitted in seamlessly to our group, not missed a beat in pre-season. This immediately gives our squad a huge insertion of experience and leadership.”
21-year-old Kelly moves to City after a frustrating 2016 season, which saw him make only three league appearances across two spells with Richmond and St Albans respectively.
A Canberra-native, the midfielder moved to Victoria last year and played his part in Richmond’s promotion-winning campaign as he netted three times in 27 league appearances.
However, he struggled to break into the starting XI the following term and departed Kevin Bartlett Reserve mid-season by joining former Richmond assistant coach Zeljko Kuzman at Churchill Reserve.
No sooner had he arrived at the club was Kuzman relieved of his duties as manager, with Kelly deemed surplus to requirements by new coach Kruni Razov.
Mathers was full of praise for his new signing, who has returned back to Melbourne to join City for pre-season training.
“Having remembered Jay from his time with Richmond, we were immediately interested when the opportunity to talk to him presented itself,” he said.
“Over the last couple of months, we had maintained dialogue right up until he committed to join us for our first pre-season session, travelling from Canberra.
“From that point, we were impressed with his fitness levels, pace and attacking intent every time he’s on the ball. He will be a player that gives us another attacking dimension.
“His attitude and commitment has been first-rate so far, and we know that with a continuation of this approach, Jay will evolve as a footballer and make a real contribution this year.”
In addition to the new arrivals, the club which celebrated its 100th anniversary this year also welcomed back a host of key re-signings, including 2016 top goalscorer Apai Ukuno.
The South Sudanese international scored 18 goals in the league for City in 25 appearances, finishing only second behind Atilla Ofli in the NPL2 West top goalscorers standings.
The ex-Brisbane Strikers forward admits that he rejected interest from a number of other clubs to remain at Campbell Reserve in 2017.
“Although having had interest from other clubs, I was always confident of agreeing terms with Moreland City,” he told the club via press release.
“I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the club this year, and feel we have a good platform for success.
“Personally I hope to continue with my form from this season, and keep progressing and developing as a footballer. The club have spoken to me about their intentions, and this is something I really want to contribute toward.”
Re-joining him at the club is star Welsh forward Casey Thomas, whose season was disrupted injury problems.
The former Swansea City player scored twice in 18 league appearances after being one of City’s best in a successful year the season prior.
His brother and 2016 Captain Corey Thomas had initially re-signed with the club for next season, although has departed to take up an offer with Port Talbot Town in his homeland.
The versatile midfielder and two-time club Best and Fairest winner made 27 league appearances this year, scoring three goals – although may return down under as the Welsh season doesn’t overlap the Victorian season.
Former Fawkner Blues winger Osman Kose is another to agree terms with the club for a third season after making 53 league appearances in City colours and scoring eight goals in the process.
The 2016 Best and Fairest joint-runner up cited “unfinished business” as the reason behind his stay, with the crafty winger determined to enjoy a more fruitful 2017.
“The club is ambitious, the playing group itself is also very ambitious, and I believe the best for both is still ahead,” Kose commented.
The final re-signing is that of defender Jordan Seeto, who joined City mid-year from Richmond and is a former teammate of Kelly at the club.
The Queenslander moved to Victoria in 2015, joining Bendigo City before moving mid-season to Kevin Bartlett Reserve, helping the club claim the NPL2 Championship and earn promotion to the top flight.
He made 25 league appearances for Alemannia before making a further 11 for Moreland City, with coach Mathers delighted to have re-secured the services of the versatile defender.
“Jordy is an ambitious footballer who brings excellent professionalism in his approach. He offers us versatility across our back four and has already spoken to me about taking on a greater leadership role and working closely with our youngest talent.”
In further news, former Brunswick City Head Coach Joe De Martino will continue in his role as club technical director in 2017.
The acquisition of two players with prior promotion experience, as well as the re-signings of several of the club’s stars is a statement of an intent from a club determined to make up for a year blighted by inconsistency as they look to mount a charge up the standings next year.