Former Sandringham SC trio Emma Runnalls, Annabelle Gibney and skipper Sienna Fogarty have all signed with Melbourne United ahead of the 2016 NPLW Victoria season.
The signings mark the first actions of the off-season for coach Sinisa Cohadzic, who got the opportunity to see the trio in action for the first time at the weekend, as all three featured for his side in a practice match against Calder United.
Gibney came through the ranks of the NTC, winning the prestigious Jane Oakley award in 2007, given to the best player in the system.
That season saw her net 28 league goals for Ashburton United, finishing as the league’s top scorer, having finished second in the Golden Boot to Melanie Camilleri the season prior.
Her form led to a move to America, where she was an integral figure in Campbell University’s footballing program from 2008-2011 before moving back home to Australia with South Melbourne in 2012, scoring 12 times in two seasons at the club.
A move to Sandringham followed in 2014, where the attacking midfielder had a standout 2015 campaign, finding the net 14 times in the league and providing a strong link-up option through the middle of the park.
Runnalls trialled with Ashburton United under Cohadzic during the last pre-season ahead of the 2015 campaign, but returned to feature for Sandringham SC instead.
There, she saw her campaign hampered by a serious toe injury, which limited the forward to a handful of appearances this campaign.
One of the league’s deadliest strikers when fit, the youngster has scored 62 goals since breaking out in 2009, including a return of five this year despite her injury layoff.
Sienna Fogarty somewhat reinvented herself during the 2015 campaign, moving from a central midfield role into defence, where she excelled despite the change of positions.
The technically gifted ball-playing midfielder – also a talented futsal player – took the captains armband last season from the injured Hannah Stuart, having made her senior debut in 2010.
She’s since established herself as an important part of the Sandringham starting line-up, with her set-piece ability another string to an impressive bow.
Coach Sinisa Cohadzic praised the character of his three newest signings, who he revealed to be big admirers of for some time.
“I am delighted and excited having these three girls come onboard for 2016,” Cohadzic said.
“They have been on my wish list past two years and having them at training over the last three weeks just confirmed to me that I’ve brought in the right characters with a great attitude that will help us in our journey to become one of the best clubs both on and off the field.”