Coach: Anthony Barbieri
Home Ground: Knights Stadium, Somers Street
2015 Season:
League: 9th place
Dockerty Cup: Round 6 (1-0 loss to Frankston Pines)
Club Overview/History: The club formerly known as Avondale Heights has experienced a meteoric rise in recent years, coming from the lowly depths of State League 3 to the NPL, earning successive promotions under coach Anthony Barbieri in 2012 and 2013 albeit being selected as a part of the inaugural NPL 1 Victoria campaign in 2014. Avondale continued to build a reputation as a steely, tough to beat side as they took out the inaugural NPL 1 title to book their place in the Victorian top-flight for the very first time, which they consolidated on last season.
Pre-season: Five wins, one draw (22 goals for, 4 goals against)
– Avondale FC 6 (Yango x 2, Sanders x 3, Cannizzaro) defeated Cobram Roar 1
– Avondale FC 0 drew with Werribee City 0
– Avondale FC 4 (Milojevic x 3, Murdocca) defeated Ballarat Red Devils 1
– Avondale FC 5 (Milojevic, Murdocca, Hodor, Sanders, Yango) defeated Altona City 1
– Avondale FC 3 (Khrapko x 2, Murdocca) defeated Melbourne Knights 1
– Avondale FC 4 (Yango x 2, Symeoy, Sanders) defeated Sydenham Park 0
Last season: 2015 was a relatively successful season in the end for Avondale FC, who despite not pushing for finals, never really looked in threat of relegation. They got off the mark with a 1-0 win over Pascoe Vale. They sat on four wins and two draws after 10 games, sitting marginally off a finals position on goal difference. A mid-season slump of sorts – which saw them go six games without a win – saw them delve into the transfer market to pluck high-profile pair Massimo Murdocca and Francessco Stella. They largely helped the sides on-field fortunes as they rallied to finish a comfortable seven points off a relegation play-off spot, despite a error-ridden 7-0 loss to South Melbourne late in the season.
Transfer movement:
In:
Baki Efe, Melbourne City
Jamie Cumming, Heidelberg United
Jonatan Germano, Melbourne City
Spase Dilevski, ATM FA [Malaysian Super League]
Out:
Jonathan Munoz
Burakhan Koca, North Geelong Warriors
Chris Maynard
Dean Campelj, Melbourne Knights
Jacob Colosimo, Melbourne Knights
Francesco Stella, Central Coast Mariners
READ MORE > All NPL Victoria pre-season transfers
Players to watch: There’s no shock in saying that it’ll be the new names that will draw the most attention come the season’s resumption. While he’s yet to officially sign with Avondale FC, former Brisbane Roar youth product Abraham Yango has been with the club throughout pre-season, and if his form since then is anything to go by, then they may have a big player on their hands. Former Melbourne City defender Nick Symeoy is in the same boat, yet to sign with the club.
The pair are A-League capped, as of course is teammate Massimo Murdocca who looked a class above in his half-season spell at Doyle Street last season. Effortlessly glides through midfield and provides a real calming influence in the engine room. Expectations will similarly be high on Jonatan Germano and Space Dilevski who have comparable CV’s. Also look for Vojo Milojevic to step up after injuries curtailed his 2015 campaign.
What to expect in 2016: Avondale will no doubt be looking to take the next leap forward this season, with a stronger roster in place for their second year in the system. Doyle Street has been a fortress for many years and they’ll be without their ground in 2016 as it undergoes renovations. The quicker they get a feel for Somers Street, the more likely they’ll be to play finals football this season. Pushing finals
Feature Image: Mark Avellino