Image: Harlequin Sports Photography
Coach: Kruni Razov
2016 finish: 1st in NPL2 West (promoted), FFA Cup Round 6 (defeated by Port Melbourne)
Summary: St Albans overcame an mid-season hurdle in the departure of Zeljko Kuzman, who was succeeded by Kruni Razov, along with a dip in form, to come storming home strong and claim top spot of a hotly contested West division, seeing off the challenges of the likes of North Geelong, Whittlesea and Moreland Zebras. Led by a solid rearguard, the Saints were able to stay top at the end to be claimed the NPL2 West champions and earn automatic promotion.
Ins: Daniel Chaabani (Hume City), Matthew Cundari (Whittlesea Ranges), Hernan Espindola (Hume City), Chris May (Melbourne Knights), Aaron Romein (Ballarat Red Devils), John Lazaradis (Heidelberg United), Jean Carlos Solorzano (Rochedale Rovers – NPLQLD)
Outs: Alex Baird (Werribee City), Josh Knight (Northcote City), George Tsiakalakis (Sunshine George Cross), Jay Kelly (Moreland City), Maselas Lian Bawi (Werribee City)
Re-signed: Joseph Monek, Nicholas Sarbin, Rodrigo Covarrubias, Nana Yaw, Ben Shaper, Michael Grgic, Ryan McGuffie
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Player Q&A: Michael Grgic
How’s pre-season going? Where have you been with the team?
Pre-season has been going very well, a few new faces mixed with the boys from last year and the team has been gelling really well.
What have the club’s pre-season results been?
Defeated Sunshine Goerge Cross 1-0, lost 1-3 to Heidleberg United, drew 1-1 with Hume City, drew 0-0 with Bulleen Lions, lost 0-3 to Whittlesea Ranges, lost 0-1 to Melbourne Knights
Before the Christmas break we beat Georgies 1-0, coming back from the break we have had mixed results losing to Whittlesea and Heidelberg, drawing with Hume and Bulleen. Then this weekend we had the Vic Cro cup and were unlucky to lose in the final to Melbourne Knights 1-0.
How are the new signings settling in?
All the new boys have fit in really well, from day ome they’ve been right into the banter and couldn’t ask for a better bunch for Kruni to have signed.
Who are the St Albans players to watch in 2017 (new or existing) and why?
Definitely our skipper Ryan McGuffie, solid in the back and very dangerous at a set piece, expect a few goals from him this year. Daniel Chaabani, he has been fantastic in pre-season, he has calmness on the ball, has an eye for a defence-splitting passes, and has a high work rate. If he carries that form from pre-season I think he will have an outstanding year.
Who are the some of the bigger characters off the pitch and why?
Ryan McGuffie is a great captain and leader, he has been TD for the last few seasons and is definitely one of the most influential people at the club and an example to all the young boys. Daniel ‘Frodo’ Slovacek, best banter in the league and you can’t have a training session without him cracking you up.
How’s Kruni Razov been preparing the squad?
Kruni has been fantastic in the pre-season, signing exactly what the team needs and the right type of characters too. He has been mixing up the training sessions to get our bodies in the best shape and we are ready to go for round 1.
Which team/player are you most looking forward to facing this year?
I’m most looking forward to playing Melbourne Knights and North Geelong Warriors this season, derby games are always good to play in and hopefully in front of bumper crowds.
Which opposition club(s) have impressed you most in pre-season?
Heidelberg really impressed me this pre-season with their play and movement off the ball, I would expect them to be playing finals and possibly title contenders.
What are the expectations/objectives in 2017?
We are not just here to make up the numbers, our objective is to be a competitive side and play the football that Kruni and Josip Loncaric have been implementing in pre-season and see where that takes us.
What’s one headline we may see about St Albans Saints this season?
‘Surprising St Albans’
We may not be the biggest club in the league but we play for the shirt and have some of the most passionate fans in the country – at home games especially they really are a 12th man.