With José Luis López’ addition, Ernie Merrick’s off-season recruitment seems to have reached its end. But work on the Victory’s W-League and National Youth League teams is still well underway.
Melbourne has signed Matilda’s goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri, who becomes the first signing for the Victory’s inaugural W-League team. Barbieri was on Melbourne’s medical staff three years ago when the league kicked off.
Earlier this year, she made headlines when she signed with the Richmond Eagles and became the first Australian woman to play in a professional men’s football team.
The W-League doesn’t start until late October, so the club still has ample time to assemble a full squad.
Meanwhile, Mehmet Durakovic’s youth team is close to complete after the club signed seven players this week. The Victory has signed Mijo Marinovic, Robert Wynne, Antonio LaVerde, Aziz Behich, Matthew Foschini, Stephen Hatzikostas and Fabio DiLizia.
Harzikostas and DiLizia both come over from the Victorian Institute of Sport, while the remainder have been sourced from various Victorian Premier League sides. They are aged between 16 and 19.
5 comments ↓
Isnt it amazing how far football has come in three or four years. From nothing to the A-league and now youth teams and women’s teams … next year plus 2 teams in the competition and the year after 2 more.
Recruitement this year has been better than last year (on paper at least) and most teams can probably boast better squads than last season with new signings. And the youth league will provide a serious means for younger guys to make an impression in competitive games rather than relying on training runs.
When the season stretches beyound the current 21 rounds and into 27 rounds (and possibly more) and with 3 teams possibly in the ACL in future years it is all looking up for the growth of the game.
It’s a great time to be a football supporter in Australia:) If the Socceroos manage to qualify for the World Cup again, that would add even more fuel to the fire.
I’ll be really interested to see how the youth league pans out. I hope it’s coupled by a focus on really developing players in those teams – perhaps like the AIS already does. It would be great to see players regularly coming into the seniors side from the youth side.
Not ready for it yet.
I am impressed at how fast Football is growing in Australia, Even if the Socceroos didn’t qualify, which I’m sure they will, it should be no reason for people to stop following the greatest sport in the world, and i might add Art if you’ve ever seen Ronaldo play… One day soon Australia may be able to boast players like Henry or Messi but first they need to get rid of this Cap business and get paying players real wages if they are to up the level of the game..
I’m also glad to see that they are keen to develop the kids from young ages… and it will be great to see youth players coming through the ranks to play in the League. .but your right they aren’t ready yet…
May I finally add .. Each state should have at least 2-3 teams in the league if they are to up the level of the game…It works in Brazil..and they have a cup in each state!!
I’m really looking forward to the youth league opening as it will really show the future that Australian football has!
Stephen goes to my school and boy is he an amazing soccer player, many times i have played against him in the gym and lost and i really look forward to seeing him play!
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