I guess my only concern about Valeri sticking around is that his seniority will see him be picked, especially if he is still captain. If he relinquishes the captaincy in the off-season and is happy to just be a regular squaddie than I am happy with that, but I definitely think that he has regressed and as such, shouldn't be a walk up start into the side.

Nigro is an interesting one - I just don't see a spot for him in the side outside of being a utility replacement on the bench, especially with both Roux and Brown coming in for the fullback positions. Happy to keep him around but he's not worth fighting for if another club can offer him a starting XI position imo.

I wouldn't want Valeri to go, still think he has another year in him as a back up option. 

Also think Nigro is a bit stiff in your list, clearly has quality when given an opportunity (and still hasn't played in his preferred position). 

So this is my wishlist for next season's squad:

>Matt Acton - keep
>Rhys Williams - keep
>Leigh Broxham - keep
>Ken Athiu - release
>Besart Berisha - keep (non-marquee)
>Kosta Barbarouses - keep
>James Troisi - keep (preference would be non-marquee but I don't think that is going to happen)
>Mitch Austin - release
>Thomas Deng - keep
>Cameron McGilp - keep
>Josh Hope - keep
>James Donachie - keep
>Matias Sanchez - release
>Pierce Waring - keep
>Lawrence Thomas - keep
>Carl Valeri - release/retire
>Stefan Nigro - keep (borderline)
>Jai Ingham - keep (borderline)
>Terry Antonis - keep
>Christian Theoharous - keep
>Matt Sutton - keep (youth scholarship keeper)
>Leroy George - keep (most likely marquee)

Total released = 4 (Athiu, Austin, Sanchez, Valeri)

Likely incoming transfers (confirmed or just about confirmed) = 2
>Storm Roux
>Corey Brown

Squad total = 20
Marquees = 2 (Troisi, George)

Wishlist
>Central midfielder to partner Antonis
>True #10 (not Troisi)

Corey Brown has let the cat out of the bag by saying he has signed with us. So with Storm Roux coming, we have fixed our fullback issues. Also hearing talk Leroy is staying. not sure in what context though (whether he is under the cap or marquee).

Last i heard, the gf will be on a Saturday... in that case newcastle better fucking win against city. I couldnt bare us beating sydney (unlikely) to get into a derby gf and not being able to go. Best man at a wedding on the Saturday night. 

Is Theo contracted for next season?

He did say he wants to coach  at the academy when he was still with us. Wonder if adp had kept in contact with him 

FBK announcing his playing retirement after tonight's match on just now on Fox Sports, pretty much just talking about Victory. 

I really hope we bring him back as an assistant or youth coach at Victory, he'd be great.

I think he was just playing to the strengths of the team he put out. Although he has shown a lot more tactical change in the past month than he had ever shown previously, so I'm expecting change next year.

Could the system used by kev on wednesday be a test of an evolution of his own system that we might see more of next year or just playing to the strengths of the team. 
Either way surely its got to be a positive that he's prepared to change something to make it better rather than what he's been giving us for 5 years. 

Go even harder I reckon - have both Antonis and Troisi floating behind Berisha.

I'd like to see us revert to a more 4-4-1-1 formation next game.


I think Berisha gets very isolated up front, putting someone close to him might help him out a bit.

signed a 2 year extension recently, which is quite interesting considering Thomas is out of contract. 

Decent synopsis of the game - there is some talent around in the youth side which is refreshing to see. Birkan Kirdar is an interesting one as well, only 16 and already in and around the senior squad. Hope (20) and Theoharous (18) are probably the two young players who are the most ready to step into the first team imo, so hopefully they can have a big pre-season and push out some established players. One of either Austin or Ingham should not be renewed (probably Austin) which opens up a spot for Theo, whilst I doubt Sanchez will be given a renewal so that leaves a spot open for Hope.

It'll be criminal if Williams doesn't go to Russia - guy has been in unbelievable form this season, and is everything we need for the Socceroos. A ball playing defender who can make a big tackle, good in the air, mobile - ticks all the boxes, and his body is in good shape.

Matt Acton was very good the other night, He'd be a quality signing for the Mariners next season, but Victory would be stupid to let him go.

Tommy Deng was very good in the full back role once again. made a couple of rash challenges but, got into some good attacking positions and also put in some quality crosses. hopefully the news around Storm Roux doesn't push him out of the squad he's been fantastic.

Williams was very strong, despite getting man handled by Hulk. hitting some good form ahead of the World Cup.

Donachie seems to be improving every week, looking like the player he was in the early Roar days. hopefully he continues along the same trajectory.

Nigro was very shaky and made a lot of crappy challenges. Got absolutely wrecked by Hulk which was hilarious. But mostly did his job.

Hope was very energetic once again! very interested to see if he can push Valeri out of the squad next season. I think that performance really puts him up there.

Antonis is looking very promising again. That was one of the most level headed performances I've seen from him so far. I look forward to seeing a Hope Antonis pairing next year. My MOTM

Athiu was very lively, should have scored, had an assist and caused the Shanghai defence a few headaches. Brilliant back-up to Berisha.

Theo was magnificent. very silky. should have scored. in the first half. but his touch and 1v1 ability is very refreshing to see from an Aussie.

Ingham was good. showed some good speed and strength to find the back of the net. hopefully this performance gives him some more confidence. if he succeeds it gives the NPL more credibility.

Waring was an interesting one. he was buzzing around could have had two goals if he was lucky, but overall fantastic to see another Aussie score in the ACL. MOTM performance was a strange one, but good on him

First time i saw Hope, looks technically a very good player with Antonis in there, no wonder they controlled the game quite well with those two.

Personally I'd like to see Troisi sold to Asia (please some WC minutes).

Would then build the midfield around Antonis including a shape change to get the best out of him

DM

Antonis - ?

Having the two central midfielders should allow for moreopportunities for Hope/Nigro in their natural positions during the year.

Could also at a stretch get another year out of Valeri in this shape, he struggles to cover ground in our current pivot but it wouldn’t be as much as an issue here.

I would like to see Hope partner Antonis in midfield next year. Hope looks ready to be a regular starter imo.

Would you look at hat, plays some Yoof and we beat a team like that.

Time to bench Berisha lol

-PB

Antonis was exceptional. Deng was excellent.
A really interesting performance by many of the others too.

Who is locked away for next year?

should be better after a full pre-season under our system as well. 

For sure - one of the key reasons why we had a bit of a revival in the second half of the season. Reminds me a lot of Millsy's dynamism in our double winning season.

Antonis really was a fantastic get. 

https://www.melbournevictory.com.au/news/victory-secures-funding-maribyrnong-academy-site

Melbourne Victory welcomes today’s announcement by the Andrews Labor Government confirming it will commit $10 million to assist in developing the home of Melbourne Victory’s W-League as well as its Academy squads. 

The facilities, to be located at Maribyrnong’s Footscray Park and Robert Barrett Reserve, will provide the club’s womens and Academy programs, consisting of Victoria’s best young male and female players, with world class training and playing facilities, less than five kilometres from the CBD.

Melbourne Victory Chairman Anthony Di Pietro said, “This is a very proud day for our football club and certainly one of the most significant in its history.”

“The facilities at the two sites, will not only be home to our elite program for women, they will also form a major part of our Youth Academy for talented juniors – both male and female – where we hope to shape the careers of future Matildas and Socceroos.”

“Football participation levels have never been higher, so this facility is going to have an incredibly positive impact on the community and we thank the Andrews Labor Government and Maribyrnong City Council for their support,” Mr Di Pietro added.

Footscray Park will feature three flood-lit pitches, one with a natural surface and two hybrids, 6 male and female change rooms, match day areas for all stakeholders, including undercover viewing areas for 500 spectators, as well as administration and education areas for coaches, staff and players. Robert Barrett Reserve will add a further two training pitches, to support the club’s expanding women’s and youth programs.

Minister for Sport John Eren said, “We know we need to do more to support women and girls in professional sport, so we are proud to be providing a home for Melbourne Victory’s fantastic W-League team.”

“We are levelling the playing field for women’s sport – upgrading changerooms, grounds and elite facilities across Victoria.

”By having the football facilities adjacent to Victoria University Sports Precinct, Victory's Women's and Academy teams will have even more access to the University's Sports Science staff, students and resources. "Victoria University's High Performance Sport partnership with Melbourne Victory has been in place for a decade," said a delighted Professor Hans Westerbeek.

"This development will enhance it even further and also increase our community engagement.

"Blue Light Victoria, an organisation dedicated to facilitating positive engagement between young people and Victoria Police, will also be located at the Footscray Park site.  Melbourne Victory and Blue Light Victoria will work together to engage young people, demonstrating another very important partnership that will deliver significant community outcomes though the facility. 

This announcement was made last Friday and hardly anyone in the football world is talking about it. While $10 million is nothing compared to the $500 million AFL is getting, its still nothing to sneeze at either. our long mooted Football Academy is finally coming. Its my understanding that the total cost is $18 million with Victory and Maribyrnong council chipping in the rest. The partnership with Victoria Police is also interesting.  

Yeah needs to be a bench player next season...

If we don't re-sign Leroy and somehow end up throwing all that money at Troisi next season... >.<

-PB

Good stuff. 

Maybe Vicpol might engage with Victory a little on the side as well for a change lol

That’s good news. Long overdue.

Victory Secures Funding for Maribyrnong Academy Site

Melbourne Victory welcomes today’s announcement by the Andrews Labor Government confirming it will commit $10 million to assist in developing the home of Melbourne Victory’s W-League as well as its Academy squads. 

The facilities, to be located at Maribyrnong’s Footscray Park and Robert Barrett Reserve, will provide the club’s womens and Academy programs, consisting of Victoria’s best young male and female players, with world class training and playing facilities, less than five kilometres from the CBD.

Melbourne Victory Chairman Anthony Di Pietro said, “This is a very proud day for our football club and certainly one of the most significant in its history.”

“The facilities at the two sites, will not only be home to our elite program for women, they will also form a major part of our Youth Academy for talented juniors – both male and female – where we hope to shape the careers of future Matildas and Socceroos.”

“Football participation levels have never been higher, so this facility is going to have an incredibly positive impact on the community and we thank the Andrews Labor Government and Maribyrnong City Council for their support,” Mr Di Pietro added.

Footscray Park will feature three flood-lit pitches, one with a natural surface and two hybrids, 6 male and female change rooms, match day areas for all stakeholders, including undercover viewing areas for 500 spectators, as well as administration and education areas for coaches, staff and players. Robert Barrett Reserve will add a further two training pitches, to support the club’s expanding women’s and youth programs.

Minister for Sport John Eren said, “We know we need to do more to support women and girls in professional sport, so we are proud to be providing a home for Melbourne Victory’s fantastic W-League team.”

“We are levelling the playing field for women’s sport – upgrading changerooms, grounds and elite facilities across Victoria.”

By having the football facilities adjacent to Victoria University Sports Precinct, Victory's Women's and Academy teams will have even more access to the University's Sports Science staff, students and resources. "Victoria University's High Performance Sport partnership with Melbourne Victory has been in place for a decade," said a delighted Professor Hans Westerbeek.

"This development will enhance it even further and also increase our community engagement."

Blue Light Victoria, an organisation dedicated to facilitating positive engagement between young people and Victoria Police, will also be located at the Footscray Park site.  Melbourne Victory and Blue Light Victoria will work together to engage young people, demonstrating another very important partnership that will deliver significant community outcomes though the facility.