MVFC Blog

Matthew Kemp’s counterpart on the left side of defense is Joe Keenan, another new recruit set to bid for a regular role in the Victory squad.

Keenan, an Englishman who has enjoyed spells at Chelsea, VC Westerlo and Willem II, has been assigned defensive duties - a role which contrasts with his history as a midfielder, but reflects Melbourne’s strength in midfield. Gary Cole touts him as someone who can “offer creativity as well as the ability to defend.”

Sounds like Alessandro.

In fact, the signings of Kemp and Keenan highlight the club’s aim to provide a firmer attacking grunt to the Victory defence. Both players have been used by previous clubs as midfielders. But both players are also expected to be more balanced than Alessandro, whose forays into the opposition’s half often left the Melbourne defence dangerously exposed.

Last year, Merrick usually played Alessandro off the bench, to help give Melbourne an extra attacking presence when they were in need of goals. Will Merrick use Keenan in the same way? I think this depends largely on form. If Keenan continues to effectively do his job as a defender, while helping usher the ball forward, I would expect him to retain a spot in the starting lineup.

Read more about Keenan:

• Joe Keenan, a new crowd favourite?, June 11, 2007, MVFCBlog
• Shuffle on the cards for Victory, April 8, 2007, The Age
• Keenan bridges the gap, August 18, 2007, The Age
• Joe on Wikipedia
• Keenan profile on MelbourneVictory.com.au