Melbourne Victory have announced their squad for their inaugural NPL Victoria top-flight season, with an eclectic mix of A-League experience and teenaged talent making up their squad of 23.
Incoming for their 2016 season is Richmond SC’s 16-year-old midfielder Ryan Lambert, as well as promising Hume City defender Matt Hennessey, Box Hill United fullback Oliver Paterno and Tasmanians Michael Holden and Josh Hope.
The pair had both trialled with the Victory at different stages over the last 12 months, where Holden was offered a position with their National Youth League squad, but declined due to the logistical problems of travel from state to state.
Attacking midfielder Josh Hope is a current Australian U17’s representative and is a product of the Tasmanian NTC.
The new signings will be ably supported by the club’s more senior members, including players with A-League experience such as Kieran Dover, George Howard, Stefan Nigro, Lucas Spinella, Jordan Brown and captain Joey Katebian.
Christian Cavallo and Andre McNamara (Bentleigh Greens), Anthony Duzel (Melbourne Knights), and John Maclean (Oakleigh Cannons) all have experience playing in the NPL top-flight providing a strong core of players to work around.
The National Youth League season wrapped up for the Victory earlier earlier this season, ending in fourth place in the five-team Conference A division.
Three wins and five losses from eight games marked a respectable return from Vaughan Coveny’s men, who head into the 2016 season with plenty of games under their belt.
Full Squad: Ryan Lambert, Matt Hennessey, Jordan Brown, Christian Cavallo, Wyatt Chant, Lucas Derrick, Kieran Dover, Anthony Duzel, Callum Goulding, Michael Holden, Josh Hope, George Howard, Joey Katebian, Andre McNamara, John Maclean, Damien Miskulin, Stefan Nigro, Dion Paola, Oliver Paterno, Lucas Spinella, John Vakirtzis, Pierce Waring, James Xydias