GREEN Gully is set to embark on a new era in the Victorian Premier League.
The Cavs have farewelled one of the great coaches in the local game.
Ian Dobson, an eight-time premiership coach, has told the Cavs that he will no longer be at the helm.
The club is deep into negotiations with prospective coaches, but like the song that is sung on the terraces, ‘there is only one Ian Dobson’.
The changes will also extend to the playing roster. The Cavs, champions in 2010 and 2011, slipped back ever so slightly last season when they bowed out in the preliminary final and decided it was time for a fresh coat of paint.
Gone are goalkeepers Nikola Roganovic and Rhyss Keane, defenders Mile Medjedovic and Scott Robson, and attackers Joel Nikolic and Graham Hockless.
“It was time for a review of the squad,” Cavs general manager Raymond Mamo told the Weekly. “We needed to freshen up the squad a bit.”
Hockless, a former Gold Medal winner for FFV best and fairest, is a massive loss.
The attacking midfielder surprised the Cavs when informing of his decision to leave.
“It was a frustrating year for him with injuries,” Mamo said. “We were hoping he’d stay on after we supported him through his injuries for 12 months.
“I don’t believe in keeping someone at the club that wants to move on.”
Green Gully has made some shrewd move to counter those leaving the Keilor Downs club. The No.1 priority was a top-line goalkeeper and they brought in Griffin McMaster.
McMaster has first team A-League experience with the Brisbane Roar and has proven more than capable at this level with Oakleigh Cannons, Heidelberg United, Moreland Zebras and, more recently, Bentleigh Greens.
The Cavs made an out-and-out goalscorer high on their wish list and landed centre forward Tom Cahill to perform the role.
Cahill had a stunning year with Sunshine George Cross in the state leagues, followed by a impressive stint with the Richmond Eagles in the top flight.
“He is an outstanding player, he takes players on, he’s quick and he’s got a good football brain,” Mamo said. “We struggled last year with scoring goals and we hope that he’ll be able to help out in that area.”
The third of the Cavs major signings is left-back Scott Muirhead, a defender with Scottish Premier League experience.
Muirhead made 78 appearances over five years with one of Scotland’s most famous clubs Aberdeen and played a further five years with Dunfermline Athletic.
The 28-year-old came Down Under to try and earn a contract with Perth Glory in the A-League, but it did not work out and he spent last season with the Richmond Eagles, where he caught the eyes of the Cavs recruiters.
“When we played against Richmond, he stood out,” Mamo said. “He reads the game well, he’s a genuine left-back and I regard him as the best in the league in that position.”
