Avondale coach Zoran Markovski said the club is relishing being the hunted in NPL Victoria

NPL Victoria premiers and champions Avondale is confident the bulk of its squad will return to chase back-to-back glory as it begins pre-season preparations.

The hunters become the hunted.

Avondale’s history-making championship and premiership-winning season has all eyes on the club.

However, it’s business as usual for the Avengers as they kick off preparations for the 2024 NPL Victoria season next week.

Avondale is strongly linked to the National Second Division, which has been pushed back until 2025.

With the introduction delayed, coach Zoran Markovski said focus turns to back-to-back glory.

“We were hoping we’d be in the B-League but that’s been pushed back another year,” he said.

“Whatever competition we’re in we’re going to be in we’re going to give one hell of a crack and if that’s NPL we want to go back-to-back if we can.

“The club has worked really hard to get into the B-League and I think we’re well advanced in being accepted.

“It’s massive for where the club’s come from to go into the National Second Division is huge for the club.”

Liam Boland is the only notable departure at this stage after the legendary striker returned to his home state of Western Australia.

The Avengers’ success has even led to international recognition with star midfield-forward Yusuf Ahmed being called up by Somalia.

Stefan Zinni’s blistering form saw him claim the club best-and-fairest after scoring a club-high 14 goals, second most in the NPL.

Boland, Ahmed and Zander Guy also scored double-digit goals, while striker Many Aguek departed mid-season for an opportunity in Malta.

Yusuf Ahmed got an international call up from Somalia. Picture: Josh Chadwick

George Mells and George Ott were brought in during the mid-season transfer window and played key roles in the club claiming silverware.

Markovski is confident the vast majority of his double-winning squad will re-sign for a championship-premiership defence.

“I’ll keep at least 75 to 80 per cent, easily, probably more,” he said.

“If I can add a couple I will but I don’t have to.

“I’ve got to replace Liam Boland, which are big shoes to fill, but we’ve got George Ott there.”

Avondale secured its first championship in club history in August before backing it up with a dominant 4-0 grand final victory over arch-rival South Melbourne.

Having finally taken his club to the top, Markovski had no hesitation in re-signing for two years himself.

“Not at all, me and my coaches, we’re loyal people and we’re winners, we want to go back-to-back,” he said.

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“That’s not going to come easily, last year we were the hunters and now we’re the hunted.

“There’s been a bit of change at other clubs but we’ll just concentrate on ourselves, we believe in our group.

“The group is at a good age, the average age is about 26 or 27, and hopefully we can bring a couple of youngsters in next year as well.”

Avondale, South Melbourne and Preston Lions are front-runners to be Victorian clubs included in the National Second Division.