Deadline Day: Sheppard to lead new pack, Sharks attack

It was an active day for plenty of clubs in the NPL top-flight, with just one side not completing any business.

For the rest, there were plenty of mouth-watering transfers, including internationally-capped footballers, young interstate talent, goalkeeper merry-go-rounds and big NPL Victoria names trading clubs. Here is a full wrap of everything that went down.

***

Avondale FC

The big news from this year’s transfer deadline is Avondale’s move for Kaine Sheppard from Heidelberg United. Sheppard has battled injuries in his last two seasons at Olympic Village – last year scoring just three goals from eight appearances – and has since seen his starting XI position usurped by Kenny Athiu. On his day, the 23-year-old is one of the league’s best marksman, with a return of 21 goals from 49 league fixtures. It helps cover the losses of Alex Khrapko – who has traded NPL top-flight clubs – and former Brisbane Roar Youth Abraham Yango. Youngsters Josh Rabie, Christian Inglese and Michael Ballato have all been promoted to the senior squad.

Bentleigh Greens

It was a quiet deadline day for the Bentleigh Greens, with just former South Springvale Aris and Northcote City shot-stopper Jordan Gifkins joining the club to replace Alex Connell, who was not registered. He himself was signed as a replacement for another departed gloveman in Brandon Osipov, with the former Melbourne Victory Youth opting to move to Richmond SC in search of more game time. The promoted Charles Fry and Joe O’Connor complete their squad for 2017.

Bulleen Lions

Bulleen Lions have made two additions to their 2017 roster, with Queensland youngster Tom Nielson and Scottish winger Christian McKenna joining the club. The 22-year-old diminutive forward is a former Celtic FC youth and spent time in the American college system with the Northeastern Huskies, netting 12 times from 15 appearances in the 2013 season. He will occupy the Lions’ second Visa spot alongside American forward Oliver White.

Green Gully

Midfielder Aaron Ward was not registered by Green Gully, who completed their business last night with the signing of former South Melbourne midfielder Steve Hatzikostas. Ward had originally joined the club mid-way through Gully’s 2016 campaign from Northcote City, but made just five appearances for the club. Aaron Schille, Adnan Jumeri, and Jayden Vella were all promoted to the senior squad by coach Arthur Papas.

Heidelberg United

The loss of Kaine Sheppard may prove to be a big blow to George Katsakis’ plans for the new season, with squad depth upfront now a potential concern. It was a quiet deadline day otherwise for the Bergers, with just youngster Jordan Ross promoted to the senior outfit, having featured for the club in pre-season.

Hume City

One of the busiest clubs this off-season dipped their toes into the transfer market once more, securing the double signing of Danny Kim and Jayden Prasad from Brisbane Roar Youth. Coach Dean Hennessey has taken a youthful approach to reinforcing squad depth, and their recruiting on deadline day have proven no different. Defender Kim – a former FFA Centre of Excellence and QAS NTC trainee – made 12 NPL Queensland appearances for Brisbane last campaign. Forward Prasad netted four times in 11 appearances alongside his current teammate. He carved a name for himself with Redlands United, for whom he made over 30 senior appearances for. Hayden Tennant and Oliver Kubilay were both also promoted to the senior squad.

Kingston City

Kingston completed their business in the transfer window with the signing of Moreland City’s Anthony Ianchello. The young midfielder was the ninth addition to Nick Tolios’ recently promoted squad, who have also registered Ali Sulemanovski from their U20’s squad.

>> Ianchello final piece of the puzzle for Kingston

Melbourne Knights

Just one addition to the squad for the Knights, but it was arguably the biggest of the day. In comes plenty of leadership in the form of former Melbourne Heart and Liberian international Patrick Gerhardt to help offset the departure of Shayan Alinejad.

>> Former Heart defender Gerhardt joins Knights

North Geelong Warriors

It’s as you were for the Warriors who didn’t complete any moves today.

Oakleigh Cannons

As reported on earlier today, Shayan Alinejad joined the Cannons from Melbourne Knights. Joining him on the final roster is promoted duo Evangelos Panagiotou and George Filopoulos.

>> Alinejad to bolster Cannons attack

Pascoe Vale

Milos Tosic makes the step up to move to Pascoe Vale after 24 games for Moreland Zebras. The former Adelaide Blue Eagles centre back comes in after the departure of Adam Nakic, who is reported to have retired alongside brother Jake.

Port Melbourne Sharks

Port Melbourne were arguably the busiest club on deadline, with numerous players coming and going. Andreas Govas is one addition, joining former Bulleen coach Dom Barba at JL Murphy Reserve. Prior to his Bulleen move he had been at Heidelberg, and before that Oakleigh Cannons after the Greek and Australian youth international spent years overseas.

They’ve also added young English/Australian midfielder Fraser Hills to their ranks, with the former Tottenham Hotspur youth last featuring for Brisbane Strikers. The 21-year-old Dagenham native made 41 appearances for the reigning NPL Queensland champions, scoring 11 times.

They’ve also heavily recruited in the forward third, with no less than three attacking additions joining their roster. Francesco Stella joins the club having originally signed for South Melbourne before departing without making a single appearance. The former Melbourne Victory and Central Coast man was at Avondale prior to having overseas trials and then joining South, before Port came calling.

Striker Calvin Mbarga moves from Salgaocar in India’s I-League. Earlier he had plied his trade for Hume City and Northcote in 2015 after a career in South Australia previously. Alex Khrapko returns to the club where he plied his trade in 2012. After a stint thereafter at Altona he moved to Avondale in 2014, helping the club move up the ranks of the Victorian football ladder over many years and departs after 67 games and 23 goals.

That means that Takanori Nishimoto is released without being registered to another NPL club. He moves despite being the club’s representative at the FFV media photoshoot. John Maclean is another player to make way, with the former Melbourne Victory youth joining Northcote City. Completing their squad is promoted trio Chris Galgano, Damon Sammut and Oscar Curcio.

South Melbourne FC

South Melboure saw their squad shortened with the departure of two players. Stefan Zinni made the sensational switch to Western Sydney Wanderers, while Francesco Stella signed for Port Melbourne. Another pre-season addition in Ajdin Fetahagic also wasn’t registered after a long-term injury in pre-season.

St Albans Saints

St Albans have completed a further two signings before the window slammed shut, adding Argentine Facundo Alcacer – as reporter earlier this afternoon – as well as former Melbourne City Youth Michael Yoseski. The latter failed to make an appearance for City at NPL2 level last season; making the match day squad for their Round 26 tie against Werribee City, but failing to make it off the bench. Completing their squad is the promoted Mathew Pejic.