Image: Anita Milas
The Bulleen Lions have confirmed the addition of eight new players to the senior team as well as the re-signings of a further eight members of the 2016 squad.
Headlining the new arrivals is Gold Coast City goalkeeper Shane Vitakangas, who arrives to David Barro Stadium after a successful spell in the sunshine state.
The 22 year-old Kiwi rose to fame following his penalty shootout heroics for City (then known as the Palm Beach Sharks) as they eliminated South Melbourne in the Round of 32 of the 2015 FFA Cup.
The two metre-tall shot-stopper will battle it out for the first-choice role with Wyatt Chant, who arrives after spending the last two years of his career with Melbourne Victory Youth.
The 18 year-old custodian made 11 appearances for the club over the course of the last couple of seasons, having initially made his senior debut with the Croydon City Arrows aged just 15.
20 year-old right-back Brad Clarke is reunited at Bulleen with his former Dandenong City coach Aaron Healey, having spent 2016 with Melbourne City Youth.
After originally making his senior debut with Nunawading City, the Rowville Academy of Sport graduate moved to Frank Holohan Soccer Complex in 2015 and was a standout in the City defence, making a total of 26 league appearances for Hajduk.
His impressive form saw him catch the eye of Melbourne City Youth, where he made a further two appearances under Joe Palatsides, scoring two goals and making his debut for the first team as a second-half substitute in a 2-1 FFA Cup Round of 32 away win over the Brisbane Strikers.
Joining him at the Veneto Club is former City teammate Chris Ross, with the left-back returning to the game after a one year hiatus, having also previously featured for the St Albans Saints in 2014.
Former Sunshine George Cross midfielder Nathan Liberto is another new name at the club, with the 18-year-old scoring once over the course of 25 league appearances last campaign, while fellow teen Francesco Gallo is another exciting young new addition.
Winger Jordan Templin returns to the NPL after spending 2016 with Malvern City in State League One having previously featured in NPL2 with Nunawading City.
A Best and Fairest winner at Mahoneys Reserve, the 21 year-old made his senior debut with the Bentleigh Greens in 2012 as a late substitute in a league win over Heidelberg United.
Further spells in Tasmania with South Hobart and overseas with Spanish third tier side Hercules followed, before returning to Australia last year.
The last of the new signings in 23 year-old American striker Oliver White, who arrives in the country having played college football at Harvard University.
Returning to the club is Dylan Bresolin, who departed the Lions mid-way through last term by joining Clifton Hill in State League One in search for more first team football.
Having made his senior debut at the club in 2012, the left-sided midfielder has made 47 league appearances for the club to date and netted three goals.
Promoted into the senior team is Nicholas Voulgaris, who first joined the Lions as a junior aged 12 and is the younger brother of former Bulleen forward Jonathan Voulgaris.
2015 NPL2 promotion-winning players Will Abbott, Samuel Borghesi, Davide Cardamone, Eli Luttmer, Bardhi Hysolli and Andrew Mullett have all re-committed terms for the 2017 season.
Defenders Abbott and Luttmer joined the Lions in 2015 from Pascoe Vale, with the former having previous experience with the Moreland Zebras and the Melbourne Heart Youth team, while Tasmanian Luttmer returns following a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Utility Cardamone re-joined Bulleen mid-way through 2015 after 12 months at Bentleigh and will look to overcome his recent injury problems and gain more regular playing time.
Versatile defender Borghesi and central midfielder Hysoli made their senior debuts for the club in 2013 and have made 66 and 80 league appearances respectively.
The re-signing of 22 year-old Mullett is perhaps the biggest boost for Healey, with the defender previously having won the treble with the Dandenong Thunder in 2012 as well as featuring for both Oakleigh and South Melbourne in addition to three seasons with Melbourne City, which included an NYL title in 2014/15.
The Lions kick-off their 2017 with a Monday night home fixture against reigning champions South Melbourne on February 13.