Coach: Lou Acevski
Pre-season: DWWD (Green Gully 1-1, North Geelong 2-1, Para Hills Knights 4-1, Metro Stars 1-1)
Upcoming: Bentleigh Greens (Sunday 8th Feb)
2014 finish: 6th Hume ended last season with a string of losses and unconvincing performances, limping to a sixth placed finish by the end of the campaign. With the title well adrift and fears of relegation dampened, the side struggled to find motivation in games despite the playing pool at their disposal.
The club’s most sapping moment was defeat in the qualifying rounds of the FFA Cup against South Springvale. Hume’s dissatisfaction wouldn’t end there with the club’s key acquisitions ahead of the inaugural NPL season seemingly underperforming. A disappointing return from star Richie Cardozo didn’t help Hume’s charge, while Melbourne Victory youngster Christopher Cristaldo couldn’t find form, losing favour in the latter stages of the season.
Coach Lou Acevski alluded to the playing motivation issue late into the season, saying, “the players who think the season’s finished or think we (Hume) have nothing to play for, they’re wrong. You’re playing for a contract next year.”
New signings: In the off-season Hume have been busily replenishing a squad that struggled to fire in the previous year. A number of promising signings – almost tallying into double figures – have been made to counter last year’s shortcomings, not only in the league but also in cup competitions. Former South Melbourne and A-League capped defender Shaun Timmins has been signed to plug a gap at left-back, while defensive utility man Dean Tomeski signs on after a stint in his country of heritage Macedonia.
The signing of former Melbourne City youngster Marcus Schroen may prove to be a wise acquisition. The midfielder performed well in patches in a young inexperienced Dandenong Thunder team before injury cut his season short. However, Schroen is recovering well and looks set to make the early rounds of the season. Another midfield acquisition is Perth born Liam Newman, with the 20-year-old arriving in Melbourne after five years in England, Germany and Belgium. More attacking arsenal has been signed in the form of ex Sydney United forward Ivan Pavlak – a versatile forward able to operate anywhere in a front three – and former Ballarat Red Devils marksman Deng Aguek.
Off the pitch, former Dandenong Thunder boss Dean Hennessey has moved into a technical director spot, and his experience will be crucial assisting Acevski.
Players to watch: The players to watch in Hume’s squad going into the season have to be both Jai Ingham and Calvin Mbarga. The two are also new acquisitions and have the possibility to excite the fans at Valley Park. The former, an ex-Brisbane Roar man, looks to be a tantalising prospect for Hume and is able to play anywhere along the front third.
The youngster’s shown his pedigree with 13 goals in 11 appearances with Roar’s National Youth League (NYL) side, as well as coming on to debut against Wellington Phoenix in the A-League as the eventual champions secured three points.
The prolific striker Mbarga, whose goal scoring record is almost a goal a game, has featured in U.A.E’s Arabian Gulf League for multiple clubs. The former Cameroonian under-21 international has in the past flirted with a move to the A-League with his exploits in South Australia. Boasting an imperious record, the 27-year-old looks to be a nightmare for opposition defences.
At the back, Petar Franjic returns after a short stint overseas and will slot into defence. Chris Oldfield is the reigning goalkeeper of the year and will be keen to keep his form going into the new year.
What to expect in 2015: After an underwhelming season last time around and the squad now significantly strengthened, Hume’s main objective is to make the finals, and even challenge for bigger honours if opportunities come their way. But Acevski will want to make the most of his summer purchases and with the return of talismanic captain Nick Hegarty, they may be on hand to amend last season’s setbacks. Expect an improved campaign, including a tilt at finals.