Melbourne Knights are focused on bringing some joy back to the fans in the Victorian Premier League 1 competition.
The Knights are coming off a season which saw them have a number of coaching changes, off field drama and below par results.
It saw the side drop to the VPL1 competition for 2026.
Coach Michael Calandrella said there had been a mountain of work put in during the off season
“We’re getting there,” he said. “The team is completely new and we’ve had to rebuild things.
“It’s been about getting the boys to gel and the signs in the pre-season are promising.
“We’ve got a good group to work with. They are working hard to quickly get Melbourne Knights back on track.”
Calandrella said many of last season’s squad had departed after the club after it was relegated.
It’s meant recruiting has been a big focus.
“We’ve had to recruit players, the right players,” he said.
“We have to get that right and so far it’s been really positive and we’ve been able to make sure we’re heading in the right direction after the tough year that we’ve had.
“They’re all doing so well.”
Calandrella said there were so many recruits that he was looking forward to seeing out on the pitch.
One of the big signings for the Knights is Luka Kolić
After a breakout season with the Knights in 2023, Kolić earned a move to Melbourne Victory, where he has spent the past two years.
“Missed the feeling of walking out at Knights in front of the fans,” Kolić said on the club’s social media.
“This club means a lot to me and I’m ready to give everything on the pitch to get us back to where we belong.”
Joshua Divin, Mark Ochieng, Aisen Ishak, Michael Suski, Jake Ellenberger, Nathan Flanagan Jayson Ziro, Maurice Nugent, Massimo D’Argenio, Adam Oddo, Marco Tavella, Lucas Trenkovski, Atticus Gonzalez and Theo Aresti are among the other signings for the Knights.
Calandrella said they had played a heap of pre-season matches to help the group gel together
“It’s been really positive,”he said. “We’re trying to get the best out of the boys and bring some joy back to the supporters at the Melbourne Knights.
“If they can give their all every time they take to the pitch that is all we can ask for and the results will take care of themselves.”
The Knights start their season on 14 February against North Geelong Warriors at Churchill Reserve.
Calandrella said they had a tough five week block to start the season.
“I don’t think there’s any easy rounds,” he said. “You have to be on the biol week in, week out.”
