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Melbourne Victory coach Boris Seroshtan discusses NPL Victoria 2025 challenges

After an eight-year absence, Melbourne Victory made its NPL Victoria on Monday night. Coach Boris Seroshtan discusses the challenges facing the academy team.

Jesse Hoey and Alex Menelaou in action for Melbourne Victory. Picture: Mark Avellino/Melbourne Victory
Jesse Hoey and Alex Menelaou in action for Melbourne Victory. Picture: Mark Avellino/Melbourne Victory

The kids are gonna be alright.

Melbourne Victory made its return to NPL Victoria on Monday night, it’s first game since 2016.

The VPL1 premier picked up its first points of the season in a 1-1 draw with Altona Magic at the Home of the Matildas.

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A solid start as the A-League academy team makes the big step up to the top-flight under new coach Boris Seroshtan.

NPL Victoria is widely considered the highest standard football behind the A-League, and one of the most physical.

Jesse Hoey in action for Melbourne Victory. Picture: Mark Avellino/Melbourne Victory
Jesse Hoey in action for Melbourne Victory. Picture: Mark Avellino/Melbourne Victory

It’s arguably the biggest challenge facing the Victory young guns.

“Physicality is a big one because they’re 18, 19 years old and not always big,” Seroshtan said.

“The league is notorious for being physical, today was a good pitch but if they’re less quality it will be slower and tougher.

“Older players try to intimidate younger ones, it’s a normal thing, it’s why we’re here if they want to play in the A-League.”

After Joe Palatsides and Luciano Trani guided Victory to the title last year, Seroshtan took over the reins in January.

Victory’s squad underwent significant change over the summer with key players including captain Anthony Duratovic (Oakleigh), Dimitri Palatsides, Marc Petheriotis (Melbourne Knights) and Matthew Bozinovski (Preston Lions) departing.

A core of Alex Menelaou, Tommaso Minutoli, Damien Bozinovski, Jesse and Jordan Hoey and Christian Sicilliano remain.

Seroshtan said getting the squad gelling was critical but was pleased with the team’s first showing.

“There’s challenges because some of the boys are training with the A-League squad, some not,” he said.

“It’s the most challenging part, getting the squad together and in a short period of time mould them and play.

Melbourne Victory celebrates a goal. Picture: Mark Avellino/Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory celebrates a goal. Picture: Mark Avellino/Melbourne Victory

“I saw a lot of positives, for the boys this is the best competition after the A-League.

“We created a lot of opportunities, we didn’t score, we conceded a penalty – every coach will say there’s question marks – but I saw a lot of positives.”

“It’s a challenge getting used to the intensity, we can learn from our little mistakes and the next couple of games will be good.”

Jack Mihailidis opened the scoring for Victory, set up by a strong run by Jesse Hoey.

However, Altona hit back from the penalty spot as Bilal Habib converted after he was brought down in the box.

Both teams had chances in the second half but Sicilliano and Magic captain Christian Rossi both made acrobatic saves to ensure a share of the points.

“Jack (Milailidis) played well, Kayne (Razmovski) played well as well against strong opposition,” Seroshtan said.

“Bozza (Bozinovski) was very strong and competed very well, we won the majority of set pieces.

“Toby (Obani) started well and Jesse (Hoey) started very well, you can see consistency is something we need to work on.”

The Victory faces a short turnaround with just four days until its Round 2 clash with Heidelberg United at Olympic Village.

Altona Magic will host St Albans at Paisley Park on Saturday.

HEIDELBERG UNITED FILLS GOALSCORING, LEADERSHIP VOIDS

Heidelberg United has two major holes to fill in 2025.

The Warriors lost star striker Kaine Sheppard to arch-rival Melbourne Knights, while club greats Adrian Zahra, Sean Ellis and Josh Pin have also departed.

Then, devastatingly, captain Ajdin Fetahagic ruptured his ACL in a pre-season friendly in December, ending his season before it had even begun.

Fetahagic had only taken on the armband after Zahra departed for Bentleigh Greens.

It’s a blow to the club, which returned to NPL Victoria finals and knocked A-League champion Central Coast Mariners out of the Australia Cup in coach John Anastasiadis’ first season in charge.

Sean Ellis celebrates a goal for Heidelberg United.
Sean Ellis celebrates a goal for Heidelberg United.

Anastasiadis has recruited well to fill Sheppard, Ellis and Pin’s boots.

Sheppard departs after 74 goals – ranked second all-time – in 152 appearances for the club, while Ellis scored 72 – ranked third – and 224 matches, ranked 10th in club history.

After 14 NPL goals last season, Bul Juach joins from Altona Magic, Eoghan Stokes comes across from Port Melbourne and young gun Max Bisetto has signed from Oakleigh Cannons.

In two significant coups, Sabit Ngor has returned to Olympic Village on loan from A-League club Central Coast Mariners and 2023 NPL WA Gold Medallist Chok Dau has crossed from Preston Lions.

“Sabit is back on loan from Central Coast and also Chok Dau from Preston,” Anastasiadis said.

“They’re two very quick players and will suit our style well.

“The new boys have come in, adapted well to the playing style and worked extremely hard over pre-season.”

However, replacing Fetahagic has proved a little more difficult at short notice.

“It was unfortunate we lost AJ,” Anastasiadis said.

“We’re looking at strengthening our backline with another defender but that will go to the last minute.

“If it happens it happens and if it doesn’t well look to the second half of the season.”

Fellow centre-back Ben Collins will take on the captaincy in his absence, while goalkeeper Yaren Sozer, Jamal Ali and Anthony Lesiotis are all in the leadership group.

Heidelberg has secured defender Ryan Lethlean from Brisbane Roar NPL.

Adding an extra hurdle to United’s pre-season preparations was construction works at Olympic Village.

It has seen the club forced to train away from the club throughout summer.

However, Anastasidis is confident his team is ready to go as the club launches the NPL season against Melbourne Knights at Knights Stadium on Thursday night.

“We’ve been training in public parks but no whinging, no excuses, the boys just got on with the job and I can’t commend them more for their application,” he said.

“Hopefully (Olympic Village) will be all good before our first (home) game against Melbourne Victory next week.

“We’re confident always, we know this year will be even harder – a lot of teams have strengthened and Preston coming into the equation.

“For us, we’ll stick to what we do best and look to build on last year where we were unfortunate to get knocked out twice on penalties.”

IN-FORM ALTONA MAGIC EYEING STRONG START

Strong pre-season performances have Altona Magic coach Goran Lozanovski confident of an improved NPL Victoria campaign.

After losing its first four games, the Magic stormed home to finish just four points out of finals last season.

Having almost completely rebuilt the squad last year, Lozanovski has now had a full pre-season to recruit and implement his gameplan.

Altona has picked up wins over NPL champions Oakleigh and VPL clubs Brunswick City and Pascoe Vale, while drawing with promotion-winner Preston Lions.

Lozanovski is confident the club can avoid last year’s sluggish start and again compete for finals.

Altona Magic players model the club's 2025 kits.
Altona Magic players model the club's 2025 kits.

“Last year I felt we were about a month behind compared to other clubs,” Lozanovski said.

“Now I feel we’re on par and exactly where we need to be, which has shown in pre-season games.

“It’s another half new squad again but I think we’ve improved.

“There’s a lot more unity compared to last season so I’m excited to see what we can achieve.”

Altona has lost last season’s leading goalscorer and breakout performance Bul Juach, who scored 14 goals, to Heidelberg United, while Darcy Anastovski has also departed.

However, there have been some significant additions.

Young midfielder George Tsitsinaris has arrived from South Melbourne, while Bilal Habib is on board from Heidelberg.

Chris Theodorakopoulos has arrived after 12 goals for Moreland City and Manningham United and goalkeeper Iliya Trenkov has crossed from Port Melbourne.

Filip Jovcevski in action for Altona Magic. Picture: MP Images
Filip Jovcevski in action for Altona Magic. Picture: MP Images

Anthony Frangie, Hiro Kawaguchi, Conor O’Keefe, Dejan Dakrdanikoski and Sallu Kamara are also all on board.

“Chris Theodorakopoulos is one of our key signings,” Lozanovski said.

“Bilal has been doing quite well for us, coming back from a long-term injury, and we’re quite excited about him.

“There’s a young boy from Sydney, Anthony Frangie, he’s been looking good, and Hiro Kawaguchi and Conor O’Keefe we’re expecting big things from.”

Altona kicks off its 2025 campaign with a clash against VPL1 premier Melbourne Victory and the Home of the Matildas on Monday night.

It returns to Paisley Park in Round 2 for a western suburbs clash with St Albans.

Lozanovski was confident of a strong showing this season.

“The expectations are to do better than last season but the way other clubs have been signing, I don’t know where we’re going to be,” he said.

“If we can gel on the park and from what I’ve seen so far, I think we’ll be OK.”

YOUTH, EXPERIENCE MIX TO FUEL KNIGHTS’ FINALS CHARGE

Melbourne Knights started last season 3-2-6 and parted ways with coach Ben Surey.

Club great Ivan Franjic was promoted to captain-coach and proceeded to lead the club to a 7-3-5 finish, falling just two points short of a shock NPL Victoria finals appearance.

Now with the playing boots hung up and a full pre-season in charge, Franjic is looking to build on last season’s late charge.

The club has brought in the likes of star striker Kaine Sheppard and winger Leo Mazis from Heidelberg United, which it faces on Thursday night to launch the season.

Fraser Dunlop, Josh Karantz, Stefan Brecevic, Deion Nikolaidis and Alex Hird have also signed on.

Ciaran Bramwell is congratulated by Melbourne Knights teammates after scoring a goal. Picture: Josh Chadwick
Ciaran Bramwell is congratulated by Melbourne Knights teammates after scoring a goal. Picture: Josh Chadwick

A three-time A-League premiership and championship-winner, Asian Cup winner and World Cup player Franjic said he was looking to pass on his winning mentality to his players.

“You want to improve on every season and get to a position where you can win it,” Franjic said.

“I’ve always played for the three points and to be No. 1, I’ve got a strong winning mentality and I want to pass it along to the boys so they can go for it this year.

“We’ve got a fair few younger players, which is exciting to build for the future, and we’ve had a lot of older guys stay to lead those guys by example.

“We’ve got a good mix of both but it doesn’t matter if you’re old or young, if you’re good enough you’ll play.”

The addition of Sheppard, a Gold Medal winner with 69 goals to his name, was one of the biggest moves of the NPL off-season.

He’s join Ciaran Bramwell, who scored 13 goals last season, on the front line

“Obviously bringing Kaine across, he’s got quality in front of goal, and keeping Ciaran Bramwell after scoring 14 goals, those two are going to be deadly up front,” Franjic said.

Anthony Duzel in action for Melbourne Knights. Picture: Valeriu Campan
Anthony Duzel in action for Melbourne Knights. Picture: Valeriu Campan
Thomas Woerndl in action for Melbourne Knights. Picture: Josh Chadwick
Thomas Woerndl in action for Melbourne Knights. Picture: Josh Chadwick

“Chris Oldfield is probably the best shot-stopper in the league and Steve Whyte is still here.

“Then we’ve got exciting younger players like Fraser Dunlop, Alex Hird and Tom Karlovic, who’s a Knights junior, and Leo Mazis, who was at Celtic, so you can see his quality.”

Critically, the likes of Bramwell, Oldfield, Whyte, Jack Morton, Tom Woerndl, Anthony Duzel and Joey Franjic have been retained.

Knights have lost key players Corey Sewell (Dandenong City), Gian Albano (Preston Lions), Mitch Hore (Queensland Lions).

The club will launch the 2025 NPL season against Heidelberg United at Knights Stadium.

The stadium has been upgraded in the off-season, while Knights have also submitted an expression of interest in joining the proposed National Second Division.

“It’s been an exciting time around the club, the gym has been upgraded, the coaches room has been upgraded and the changerooms have been redone,” Franjic said.

“Big things outside the stadium are happening, we’ve got three good pitches now, the hill behind the goals as you enter has been knocked down, so there’s been a lot of upgrades.”

RECRUITING, HEALTH BOOST PUTS AVONDALE IN TITLE FRAME

Avondale coach Zoran Markovski has labelled his 2025 squad the strongest he’s assembled.

The Avengers have brought in four major recruits, while Markovski is confident the club has left the injury troubles that plagued it last season behind.

As a result, trophies are on the to-do list.

After winning a historic NPL Victoria premiership-championship double in 2023, Avondale finished second in the league last year before being bundled out in a preliminary final by eventual champion Oakleigh.

And the Avengers will get an immediate re-match with a trip to Jack Edwards Reserve for a Round 1 blockbuster against the Cannons.

Yusuf Ahmed in action for Avondale. Picture: Brendan Beckett
Yusuf Ahmed in action for Avondale. Picture: Brendan Beckett

Markovski believes he has 22 players capable of claiming a starting 11 spot.

“I think it’s one of the strongest squads we’ve assembled at Avondale,” Markovski said.

“The players are ready to go, we’ve got a tough game away to Oakleigh to start but the players are looking forward to it.

“We’ve had a couple of good additions, they’ve fitted in well with the group, and we want to finish up top.

“It’s always the goal (to win silverware), we got a taste of it in 2023 and then we pushed South Melbourne to the limit last year.

“We went well considering we turned over 31 players, so the bodies we’ve got back and fewer injuries in pre-season leave us in good stead.

“We’ve got 22 good players fighting for 11 positions, it’s fantastic, so I think we’re going to give it a good shake.”

Avondale has confirmed the capture of Oakleigh’s championship-winning winger Emlyn Wellsmore as well as young gun Luca Tevere from Green Gully.

The club is expected to announce two more additions before the season kicks off.

Markovski is also expecting full seasons from the likes of Matt Reid, Joey Katabien and both Yusef Ahmeds.

Avondale coach Zoran Markovski. Picture: Brendan Beckett
Avondale coach Zoran Markovski. Picture: Brendan Beckett

“I’ve been looking at the way Emlyn goes about his football for a couple of years, he had a super year last year at Oakleigh,” Markovski said.

“Losing Dillon Jakupi because of his knee, it was a no-brainer to bring Emlyn in and he’s going to give us that versatility and mobility going forward.

“I’m really excited about him and Luca, I’ve been chasing him for a couple of years too.

“He’s been outstanding in pre-season, great work-rate, high intensity, he’s been one of the standouts.”

Jakupi has stepped away due to injury, while George Mells has joined arch-rival South Melbourne and Liston Diaz has moved to Port Melbourne.

Such has been Avondale’s depth this pre-season the club played back-to-back friendlies on Friday and Saturday against Bentleigh Greens and Geelong in preparation for Friday’s season launch.

CAN GREEN GULLY REBUILD DELIVER FINALS RETURN?

Green Gully is Victorian football’s second most successful club.

So for the Cavaliers to finish 12th in 2024, just six points clear of relegation, major change was required ahead of their 70-year anniversary.

Coach David Chick has been brought in, fresh from guiding Hume City to one of its most successful seasons ever.

He brought reigning NPL Victoria Gold Medallist Aamir Abdallah across with him, as well as Oskar Karlsson.

Meanwhile, there is a strong international flavour to Gully’s recruiting.

Aamir Abdullah in action for Hume City against Green Gully last season. Picture: Andrew Batsch.
Aamir Abdullah in action for Hume City against Green Gully last season. Picture: Andrew Batsch.

New Zealand international Deklan Wynne (Port Vale, England), Scottish striker Joe McGlynn (Hamilton Academical, Scotland), Irish defender Maurice Nugent (Galway United, Ireland) and English attacker Paul Hodges (Basingstoke, England) have all been brought in.

Oakleigh championship-winner Jacob Eliopoulos, young keeper Lawrence Caruso and Scott Lochhead have also come on board.

Expectations will be high heading into a milestone year.

Chick pointed to the likes of Altona Magic and Dandenong City, saying if any club could find form and stay healthy anything was possible.

“We kept some of the core players we really wanted to keep and managed to bring in some players we think will do a really good job for the next few years,” Chick said.

“It’s up for grabs, if we can get on a run of games and keep the players healthy, create strong chemistry – and have a bit of luck along the way.

“It really is an exciting league, there are a couple of familiar faces at the top but outside of that if you can get it right, you have the opportunity to be there.

“We’ve played some good football in pre-season but as we all know it’s not competitive.

Taylor Schrijvers in action for Green Gully. Picture: Andrew Batsch
Taylor Schrijvers in action for Green Gully. Picture: Andrew Batsch

“We want to play in big matches, the club’s got a history of being able to do that, we’d love to try and win a trophy and play in the finals.”

After a stellar campaign that saw him score 14 league goals, fourth most in the competition, Abdullah is sure to be a key performer.

The star forward added two more goals in the Australia Cup national stages.

Chick said it was a pleasant surprise to secure his signature.

“It was surprising actually, we didn’t think he was available,” Chick said.

“The fact we’d worked with him previously and done well made it an easier deal to do and it made sense for both parties.

“I think he enjoys the role we give him in the team, it suits his strengths, he’s a smart kid and we give him a bit of freedom to be creative.

“But he’s also strong the other way, the non-negotiables, defending and work-rate, which makes him one of the best players out there.”

Green Gully will kick off its 2025 campaign with a trip to one of Chick’s former clubs, Dandenong Thunder, on Saturday, February 8.

The Cavaliers will play their first home game in Round 2 against defending champions Oakleigh Cannons before Chick, Abdullah and Karlsson return to Hume City in Round 3.

NEW GAMEPLAN, SAME EXPECTATIONS FOR SOUTH MELBOURNE

New year, new South Melbourne.

The departure of captain Harrison Sawyer will see Hellas adopt a new gameplan in 2025.

The talismanic striker led South to a NPL Victoria premiership and Dockerty Cup triumph, winning the league Golden Boot with 16 goals.

South also reached the NPL grand final and Australia Cup semi-final.

Sawyer’s performances earnt him an A-League contract at Macarthur.

It has forced coach Esteban Quintas to implement a new style as he looks to repeat the club’s silverware-laden season.

South Melbourne wins the Dockerty Cup. Picture: Andrew Batsch
South Melbourne wins the Dockerty Cup. Picture: Andrew Batsch

“I have to adapt to my players,” Quintas said.

“At the moment Nahuel Bonada is my striker and Nahuel is not Harrison Sawyer.

“So, we must change the gameplan to suit.

“I am happy with how the squad has come together and now our focus is on Friday, the Community Shield against Oakleigh.”

South Melbourne has also signed imposing Danish striker Gustav Moller from Skovshoved IF.

“Yes, he was training with us last year and then went back to Denmark for Christmas,” Quintas said.

“He’s not the same player as Harrison, he’s left-footed for starters, but he is something when the ball is in the air.”

South was one game away from a historic treble last year, winning the NPL premiership and Dockerty Cup but going down to Oakleigh Cannons 1-0 in the grand final.

Hellas also marched all the way to the Australia Cup semi-final before going down, again 1-0, to eventual winner Macarthur – which had signed Sawyer away just days before.

South Melbourne’s Lucas Inglese battles Adolph Koudakpo of Green Gully. Picture: Andrew Batsch
South Melbourne’s Lucas Inglese battles Adolph Koudakpo of Green Gully. Picture: Andrew Batsch

And it already has a cup in the cupboard in 2025, claiming a 2-1 win over Sydney Olympic to retain the Greek Herald Cup.

It faces grand final nemesis Oakleigh Cannons in the Community Shield on Friday night in search of a second piece of silverware.

While the gameplan is new, the expectations are not.

“Expectations have not changed,” Quintas said.

“We want to win every game and I believe we have the squad to do it.”

As well as Moller, South has added Luca Durso, Andrew Mesourouni, Campbell Dovison, Charlie Leech and George Mells.

Dovison represented Australia at the Under-17 Asian Cup in 2023 and comes via the Western United Academy.

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/sport/south-melbourne-coach-esteban-quintas-discusses-npl-victoria-2025-preparations/news-story/e078d5e373d39cf5ad5644861a6250cc