Coach: Eric Vassiliadis
Home ground: SS Anderson Reserve, Port Melbourne
2015 Season: 8th
FFA Cup: Round 5 (drew 2-2 with Avondale, lost on penalties)
Club overview/history: Founded by Greek immigrants in 1968, the Port Melbourne Sharks have been a regular in the top flight of Victorian football since 1994. The side won two minor premierships, but never the title itself between 1994 and 2003, in 1995 and 2001. In 2003 they were relegated to state league 1, and then state league 2 in 2007, before making their way back up through the leagues, ultimately earning promotion back into the VPL in 2011. Since returning to the top flight, they have achieved safety comfortably each season, aside from 2014, where a 95th minute equaliser from Connor Reddan secured a point, and safety for the side on the final day.
Last Season: Last season represented inconsistency personified for Port Melbourne. After winning their first two matches, the side struggled to put together any truly impressive run of form until the end of the season, winning four of their last seven games. A mid-year form slump, in which they won just one of eight games, was of particular concern.
Pre-season:
W 2-1 Vs Heidelberg
D 3-3 vs South Melbourne
W 3-2 V Adelaide City
D 1-1 v Altona Magic
D 4-4 vs Werribee City
W 3-1 vs Hume City
Transfers:
In:
Jamie De Abreu (Bentleigh Greens)
James Karvelis (Kingston City)
Bonel Abradovic (Northcote City)
David Stirton (South Melbourne)
Lambros Honos (Oakleigh Cannons)
Out:
Kamal Ibrahim (Bentleigh Greens)
Nicholas Krousoratis (Green Gully)
Andrew Milicevic (St Albans Saints)
Trent Rixon (Moreland City)
Bryan Bran (Richmond)
Kris Kioussis (Richmond)
Connor Reddan
Chris Grossman
Julius Davies
Players to watch: Port Melbourne’s squad may not have as high-profile names as some others in the NPL, they still boast a number of dangers across the park. A standout signing of the off-season is Jamie De Abreu, with the dangerous wide man coming off a championship-winning season with the Bentleigh Greens, he will be looking to be an important factor in the Sharks’ side. Additionally, Stjepan Gal will be crucial again between the sticks for the Sharks, and he’ll be looking to build on a solid 2015 season. Adrian Zahra will also be hopeful of a big 2016, following his first full season back from injury in 2015. James Karvelis is also one to watch after making the step up from NPL2. David Stirton will be looking to put an underwhelming season with South behind him and get back to his best for by reaching double figures at the Sharks after previously netting 11 goals for Bentleigh during the 2014 campaign.
What to expect in 2016: With the majority of the 2015 squad being retained – despite the big departure of Ibrahim – and no change in management at the top, with Eric Vassiliadis taking charge again and assisted by VPL winner Goran Lozanovski, expect season 2016 to be an encouraging one for the Sharks. Look for Port to try to make SS Anderson Reserve a fortress. Consistency will be the key, and they will be hoping for more wins than the nine they managed in 2015 following a mid-year slump. Perhaps the most important aspect for Port will be their attack. They finished 8th last year, but scored just 37 goals in 26 games. If this squad stays injury free, then a top six finish isn’t out of reach.
Image: Mark Avellino