Avondale will have a new-look attack as it aims to defend its NPL Victoria double
Liam Boland and Zander Guy have departed, taking more than 20 goals with them, so how will lead Avondale’s attack in it’s NPL Victoria double defence?
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Avondale will need to replace 28 goals this season as it looks to win back-to-back NPL Victoria premiership and championships.
The Avengers bid farewell to legendary forward Liam Boland (11 goals) as well as gun winger Zander Guy (10) in the off-season, while Many Aguek (seven) left mid-season.
Boland returned to Western Australia after breaking the NPL Victoria goalscoring record, finishing with 104 goals in 189 matches, while Guy has moved back to Queensland.
Despite the departures, Avondale remains one of the most potent attacks in the competition.
The Avengers broke the NPL Victoria points and goalscoring records last season on the way to a history-making double.
Stef Zinni finished second in the Golden Boot race with 14 goals, while newly-minted Somalia international Yusuf Ahmed (11), Kristian Trajceski (eight) and Liston Diaz (eight) also netted regularly.
Mid-season acquisition George Ott looks set to take on the No.9 role.
“I’ve got a few options, George is going really well in the pre-season,” Avondale coach Zoran Markovski said.
“He’s a New Zealand under-23 international and I’ve got a lot of faith in George that he can develop into a good footballer and be a potent force up front for Avondale.
“I can play Yusef Ahmed or Liston Diaz, I’ve got some good options, Liston, I think he’s going to have a breakout season.”
Markovski has kept the bulk of his double-winning squad intact with Gavin Niese and Jimmy and Phil Riccobene the other departures, along with Boland and Guy.
The Avengers scored a significant recruiting coup when they snapped up Cian Cuba after he was released by title rivals South Melbourne.
Cuba was a breakout star last season, helping Altona Magic make a surprise finals run, and finishing the season with six goals and 15 assists.
South Sudan international Kur Kur has arrived from Brisbane Roar NPL and promising goalkeeper Mayen Mayen returns to the club after time with Western United.
Meanwhile, Markovski was excited by young prospect Yusuf Ahmed – not to be confused with the existing Yusuf Ahmed – from South Australia.
“We signed Cian (Cuba) last week, I don’t know what happened at South but he’s a really talented footballer and suits the way we play,” Markovski said.
“For me it was a no-brainer to bring him on board and I’m really looking forward to working with him because I think he’s an exceptional talent.
“Yusef is a 20-year-old, I love the kid’s energy, he’s going to be some kind of footballer.
“We got him from Adelaide and he’ll get gametime during the season because I like what I see in him.
“Kur is a winger and midfield who gives us a different dynamic and Mayen was previously with us, he keep when we won the Dockerty Cup in 2021, he’s been at Western United and come back and he and Tommy Manos will fight for No.1.”
Avondale will kick off its premiership and championship defence at Avengers Park against VPL1 premiers Dandenong City on Saturday, February 10.
After a record-breaking season, Markovski knows his team will be on every club’s hit-list.
However, he remains confident it can fight for more silverware before heading to the National Second Division in 2025.
“We’ve lost a bit of experience but I think the talent we’ve brought in, they’re exciting footballers,” he said.
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“The boys know the challenges ahead just get harder and harder, obviously replicating what we did last year will be hard for any team to do every again.
“We’ll keep our feet grounded, the boys are up for it, because we’re going to be the hunted.
“We’ve got to be focused on the way we go about things and I’m confident in the group that we can strive for success again.”
After being confirmed as a foundation member of the National Second Division in November, Avondale also announced a partnership with Spanish sporting giant LALIGA.
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