Before Moreland City were accepted into the NPL 1 West in 2015, they had won two consecutive State One titles, having also claimed State Two in 2012.
While a difficult initiation into the NPL would have been excused given their opponents’ year of familiarisation within the competition, City hit the ground running and finished equal second, only missing out on a promotion playoff spot by way of goal difference.
This time around, coach Adrian Mathers can confidently mount a tilt at promotion into the top flight, with continuity and consolidation the key at Campbell Reserve for 2016.
Mathers’ longevity – having been at the club in a playing and coaching capacity since the 20th century – is representative of the unity shown by a largely youthful playing group, most of whom have re-committed for 2016 and could potentially stick together for many years to come.
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Re-signings
The club’s re-signings were headlined by Welsh brothers – and visa players – Corey and Casey Thomas, who came to Australia in early 2015 with considerable pedigree, having previously played for a number of Welsh Premier League clubs including Carmarthen, Afan Lido and Port Talbot Town, and have the domestic League Cup next to their name.
Casey started at Swansea City, making one senior appearance, but was released by Brendan Rogers whilst the Swans were in the Championship.
He finished as Moreland’s top scorer last campaign, netting 10 times, while Corey claimed the club’s best and fairest award while adding six goals of his own.
The most recent re-signing, Moe Kurucu, joined from Hume City in 2014.
The 22-year-old attacking midfielder scored one goal in 2015, and it came in the form of a winner against Melbourne Victory.
Brandon Galgano, a goalkeeper and Football Manager extraordinaire, took out the Coaches’ Award in 2015.
The former South Melbourne junior joined from Malvern City in 2015 and despite being 21-years-old, showed command beyond his years between the sticks.
Fellow senior goalkeeper Kieron McDowell also re-signed – despite being on the mend from injury, the 25-year-old is held at high regard since joining from Altona East, being the side’s State One championship winning custodian.
Ying Yang and Osman Kose, both former Manningham United and Sydenham Park players, joined from the latter in 2014 and became mainstays in the squad, with Kose bagging five goals last season.
Trio of youngsters, Yianni Avramidis, Fizz Huzzey and Lisandro Paz, all signed mid-season after youth stints at South Melbourne, Bendigo City and Port Melbourne respectively.
All under 21-years-of age, Avramidis was impressive at centre back, Huzzey was a promising left-sided player bejore inury cut his season short, while Paz netted six times in a promising spell.
Fellow 20-year-old, Liam Brian, also re-committed to the squad after making the trek to Campbell Reserve following spells at Green Gully, rivals Moreland Zebras and Werribee City, and scored his maiden goal against Nunawading City in a 2-1 win.
With all the re-signings so far under the age of 25, coach Adrian Maher said: “This… captures one of our most important objectives in the pre-season – securing good, young talent, who show a willingness to carry on with their development and effect games of football – we are committed to maintaining an environment that accelerates their growth”.
CLASS OF 2015| 7 of the clubs new signings in 2015 have confirmed their ready for 2016 #PS4NPLVIC #MCFC16 pic.twitter.com/sEK6QdG5lc
— Moreland City FC (@morelandcityfc) December 23, 2015
New additions
Moreland City’s new additions to date have been an eclectic mix of up-and-coming youth, experience, and talent from interstate.
Trent Rixon is perhaps the highest profile signing, having made the move from Port Melbourne Sharks.
The 30-year-old is a veteran in Victorian top-flight football with clubs such as Northcote – where he scored over 50 goals over two stints and attracted A-League interest – and South Melbourne, along with Port.
24-year-old Apai Ukuno joins from Brisbane Strikers, with whom he reached the QLD NPL Grand Final and the last 32 of FFA Cup.
Having played for clubs in Queensland and New South Wales, the attacker also spent a season in the Welsh Premier League with Gap Connah’s Quay, and was called up to the South Sudanese national team for a FIFA World Cup Qualifier in 2015.
South Australian Jack Reynolds comes from NPL SA club Croydon Kings, impressing in a trial at Campbell Reserve – the 24-year-old is set to add to the side’s defensive stocks.
Meanwhile, Anthony Ianchello joins from Brunswick City, with the club maintaining its focus on providing youth an opportunity for senior action after the 19-year-old featured in Port and South Melbourne’s youth sides.
Likewise, the club has given a massive tick of approval to Conor Rafferty, offering a senior spot to the 16-year-old after recently featuring at Port Melbourne’s U16 squad.
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Having moved quickly to secure the core of its players and add quality depth, Moreland City has made an early statement to its opponents, signalling its intentions for ascendancy in the NPL 2 West.
With the club set to celebrate its 100-year anniversary, 2016 could be a year of significant celebration should the Campbell Reserve outfit build on its promising showing in 2015.