Max Hatzoglou
The Melbourne Knights have added twelve new players to its list for the National Premier League season, they hope will spark success and fulfill hopes of improving from its eighth place finish last year.
Coach Steve Bebic says while the list has had a high turnover from last season, it has still maintained key players to keep in the starting eleven.
Nine players were kept on the list from last season including Harry Cakarun, James McGarry, Mohammad Sumaoro, Gian Albano, Trevor Ssemakula, Anthony Duzel, Jack Marth, Tom Manos and Captain Ayden Brice.
Twelve players including two promoted from the club’s youth team have been brought onto the senior list including ex-Melbourne Victory youth player Jack Morton, NPLWA golden boot winner Steve Sokol and internationals Luka Celic and Fuki Ishibashi.
The club also welcomed back former Knight Atilla Ofli, while Anthony Frangie, Theiry Iradukunda, Justin Micallef, Andy Robertson and Lionel Masudi round out its senior list incumbents.
Bebic was excited with the younger dynamic of the saying it brought great energy and hunger to perform in the group.
He mentioned their list changes came for a number of reasons including players reflecting more through covid and deciding to change career paths, while the club also looked to target various positions on every line of the field.
The Knights come into their round one clash against Dandenong City in good form having won three of their past five pre-season matches, including a draw against the Eastern Lions.
The wins in pre-season, featured a 2-0 over Dandenong Thunder, 4-1 win over a strong Green Gully and a 3-0 win against former NPL Victoria side, Northcote City.
The one loss came against Heidelberg United, going down 2-1.
The Knights face Dandenong City tonight in round one, with the clash set to give the Knights a good chance of leaving with points after City finished last season in thirteenth position.
In other matches, Green Gully and St Albans Saints also begin their seasons on Saturday.
Green Gully travel to Jack Edwards Reserve on Friday to take on the Oakleigh Cannons.
The Saints go over the bridge to JL Murphy reserve on Saturday to face off the Port Melbourne Sharks.
Results: ow.ly/zzvw50HYeGU
