Coach: Anthony Barbieri
Pre-season: WWW (Heidelberg 1-0, Dandenong Thunder 2-1, Pascoe Vale 1-0)
2014 Finish: 1st (NPL1) It was a spectacular season for the then Avondale Heights as they claimed both the second division title and promotion to boot in the debut edition of the NPL. They had their early season form to thank, which saw them maintain an unbeaten streak of 15 games between Round 3-17, with the stunning run including 13 wins and a monster goal difference of 23.
They had their trio up front of winger Andrew Le Page, new boy Jason Principato and Ukranian-born Oleksiy Khrapko to thank for most of their attacking fortunes as they fired on all cylinders during their hot streak. But their fortunes did waiver as the season wore on, with the once title certainties falling to four losses in their last nine games.
Despite that, the club from the Western Suburbs hung on to the title by a single game, finishing the season with the second best defensive record.
READ MORE > Forward thinking Avondale
New Signings: In terms of player movement into the club, it’s been relatively quiet to date. They have added steel and experience in the form of Green Gully veteran Jeff Fleming with a number of trialists having come through the team in recent weeks. The club has confirmed that the bulk of their first team squad from last season will once again be continuing with the club, as they embark on their first foray into the NPL top flight.
Players to watch: While we touched on their attacking quality earlier, their key man within that structure will be centre forward Oleksiy Khrapko, who has been in fine form this pre-season against NPL opposition, having scored two so far in pre-season. A handful in the air and a strong with the ball at feet, his link-up play with his teammates brings others into the game. Can hit a set-piece too. Expect Fleming – who’s started pre-season games against Dandenong Thunder and Pascoe Vale – to also have an imposing influence in midfield. The question that remains begging however is whether their defence can once again hold up to the same lofty standards.
What to expect in 2015: Expect a team that’s tough to beat. Coach Anthony Barbieri has set his team up to be hard to break down, especially at the fortress that is Avondale Heights Reserve. It’ll be interesting to see how they fair against a higher level of opposition but if their pre-season form is anything to go by, expect the promoted club to continue to grind out wins. They looked a level above their competition last season, so with the same core squad kept on for this year, they should fair quite well in their maiden season. Don’t expect them to scale the Heights they achieved last year. Mid-table battlers.