Manager: Eric Vassiliadis
Pre-Season: WWWW (2-0 vs. Springvale White Eagles, 2-1 vs. Oakleigh Cannons, 2-0 vs. Murray United, 3-1 vs. Heidelberg)
Last Season: 11th Port Melbourne endured a tumultuous opening season in the NPL, only narrowly avoiding relegation by a single point, with inconsistency marring their season. Goals were difficult to come by for the Sharks, with the side recording the fourth lowest total in the league (33). There were some good signs however, with a mid-season 4-0 thrashing of Ballarat Red Devils and some spirited performances against the leagues top dogs amongst their highlights. But they proved to be few and far between, as they experienced a number of hidings, including a 4-0 home loss to Heidelberg and a total nine goals conceded to Bentleigh over two games. They also experienced a disappointing Dockerty Cup campaign as well, defeated 3-0 by NPL outfit Northcote City in Round Four.
READ MORE > Vassiliadis: Time for us to reload
New Signings: This off-season has been a busy one for the Sharks, who have brought in a number of players in the transfer period. The majority have been domestic signings, with striker Trent Rixon making the move from Northcote City, whilst central midfielder Alan Kearney has moved from fellow NPL rivals Dandenong Thunder. Similarly, English defender Shaun Kelly will don the blue and red in 2015 after making the move from champions South Melbourne.
There’s little doubt however that the big signing for Port this season is of mercurial winger Julius Davies from Romanian outfit FC Otelul Galati. The once touted wonderkid – formerly of Bayern Munich, Melbourne Victory and Brisbane Roar fame – brings a wealth of ability to the table, should he be prepared to work.
With Kevin Braniff no longer at the club, and midfielder Ross Honos joining his brother John at rival NPL side Oakleigh Cannons, it means the Sharks have lost their two top scorers from the season prior.
Players to watch: New signing Trent Rixon isn’t short of goals and will be a key player for Port. Having scored six times in 15 games last season for Northcote – more than any Sharks player in the entire season – he looms as a vital player for the season ahead.
Livewire Kamal Ibrahim will be looking to build on his previous season, having become an important member of the side since joining in 2013 and may form a deadly partnership in the front third with the aforementioned Davies.
Perhaps the most intriguing signing, and the most important player to watch for the Sharks is that of Shaun Kelly. Whilst he missed the entirety of the 2014 season with a foot injury, he is a strong central defender, and looms as a vital cog if Port Melbourne are to endure a solid season.
Season Expectations: A proud Port Melbourne side look set to undergo massive improvement in season 2015. They have maintained the vast majority of the squad they had for the inaugural NPL season and have signed incredibly well. If their new signings can click into place, don’t be surprised to see them finish in a finals position, given their strength in depth and impressive pre-season form to date. Aside from the league, they will be hopeful of having a better cup campaign. If they can achieve a cup run and a top-half finish, then a successful season will have been had. New season, new Sharks.