Moreland City coach David Ostojic discusses keys to avoiding another relegation battle

After a stressful finish to last year, Moreland City coach David Ostojic is confident his club can avoid a relegation battle and reveals a group of new recruits.

Corey Thomas in action for Moreland City. Picture: Hamish Blair

A new season and a happy changeroom has Moreland City thinking big in 2024.

After a difficult 2023 that saw the club battling relegation for much of the season, surviving by one point in a nail-biting finale, there’s a fresh air of positivity at Campbell Reserve.

After winning the VPL1 title in 2022, the club struggled to adjust to the top-flight winning just four games.

However, it was still enough to earn a NPL Victoria berth for this year and the club will take some important lessons from the experience.

First and foremost, a well-oiled team and happy changeroom is critical, according to coach David Ostojic.

Nick Bavcar in action for Moreland City. Picture: Hamish Blair

“Hopefully we can get to a position were we’re not fighting relegation this year,” Ostojic said.

“Based on the squad and the results we’re getting, how we’re playing and how we’re gelling and bonding I’m anticipating that we won’t be battling that relegation zone.

“It’s going to be a tough challenge but we’re up for it.

“We’re starting to get a nice mojo back into the team, which we lost a bit last year because of the results and probably had the wrong players as well.

“It’s been my No.1 priority to make sure the team gels and the players are good with each other.

“Obviously 2022 was the season where we maybe didn’t have the best players in the competition but we had the best team.

“That’s my target for this year to get the players who may not necessarily be the best but I want them to be one of the better teams.”

Moreland has lost of the likes of Jamie Latham, James Hooper, Peter Constantinou and Byron Figueroa.

NPL Tasmanian Rising Star Curtis Miley in action for Clarence. Picture: Anthony Corke

However, it has replenished with international recruits Slovakia under-17 international Filip Halgos and Chilean forward Jose Tomas Arancibia Sanz.

Diego Cuba has followed his brother, South Melbourne’s Cian, down from Queensland and joined Moreland, as has Curtis Miley, the 2022 NPL Tasmania Rising Star.

Fletcher Fulton finished 2023 as City’s leading goalscoring, netting six times, while young goalkeeper Alex Kondoleon had some impressive moments while under siege for much of the year.

Moreland is ramping up preparations for a Round 1 clash against off-season movers Green Gully on Friday, February 9.

The club lost its first practice match of the new year 2-1 to Eastern Lions and has hit-outs against Brunswick Juventus, Westgate and Boroondara to come.

Ostojic said there was a positive buzz around the club over summer.

“We’ve got a new committee and the support coming has been phenomenal,” he said.

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“The support was always there but there’s a vibe around the club, as they say a change can be as good as a holiday, and that’s got everyone enthusiastic with new people around the club.

“For me it’s all about culture and team unity, Moreland has been around for 100 years and we’ve always been based on culture.

“It’s been proven with the likes of (Matt) Reid captaining Avondale, (Jordan) Lampard captaining Green Gully and Tyler James the Georgies captain.”

Moreland’s first home game of 2024 will see it host South Melbourne on Sunday, February 17.