MVFC Blog

The Preston Lions must be patting themselves on the back. Steven Pace is their second player this year to pick up an A-League contract, after Isyan Erdogan joined Adelaide United at the start of the season.

Pace joins the Melbourne Victory as a replacement for defender Daniel Piorkowski, but he has played the majority of his career as a midfielder. The 24-year old was selected by Ernie Merrick years ago for a scholarship with the AIS, a stint he followed up with periods at South Melbourne and Essendon Royals, before joining the Preston Lions. Along with the move to Preston came a move to defence, which paid dividends: the Lions went on to become minor premiers and win the Grand Final in the Victorian Premier League. Pace was named 3rd Best and Fairest for the club.

Pace’s signing comes as little surprise. After the loss to Newcastle Jets, Merrick talked openly about needing to recruit another central defender. A combination of suspension (Steve Pantelidis), injury (Ljubo Milicevic, Daniel Piorkowski), pre-season transfer (Adrian Leijer) and international duty (Sebastian Ryall) left Merrick with only one central defender, Rodrigo Vargas.

It is also not surprising that Merrick has turned again to local talent to fill the void. It’s been a tried and true tactic, even if it has beckoned some criticism:

“How come some clubs can spend some real money and get quality and results, Bridges, Aloisi & Elrich and all Melbourne can afford is Preston Lions. Come on let the moths out.” (comment on FourFourTwo article)

It’s an understandable sentiment, but be fair: Merrick has picked some exceptional talent from local stock. Sebastian Ryall. Rodrigo Vargas. Leigh Broxham. Point made? Local talent doesn’t necessarily mean less talent.

The question now is whether Merrick will rush Pace into the side, or allow him some time to settle in. There are other options for the role of central defender on Sunday, even if they aren’t the most natural: Kevin Muscat could be switched back to defence (it’s a position he played for most of the first season), or Matthew Kemp could take a central role while Leigh Broxham fills his spot on the flank.

Even if Pace doesn’t join the squad this week, I expect we will see him play often enough this season. With Milicevic’ place at the club still very much in doubt, 24-year old Steven Pace has a golden opportunity dangling in front of him.

Read more about Steven Pace:

• Steven Pace on Wikipedia
• Pace profile on Melbourne Victory website
• Steven Pace signs with Melbourne Victory, Preston Lions F.C. media release