China doesn't have the 4+1 rule anymore. just 3 foreigners.

2 or 3 years works for us. Known quantity, does the business, works well in our system.

In other news, Millsy is off contract at the end of the season. Could make a play for him? Hopefully FFA increase the cap so we can actually go out and improve the squad and give the ACL a big shake.

Rumour has it that City are already talking to him.

The thought of that makes me sick.

Especially when you consider the CM options they already have on the books.

Yeah, he would lose the love from so many people.

Apparently Brattan is keen to head back OS, so probably sussing out as a replacement.

Their problem, and ours, is how do you sign him. Won't be under the cap. Cahill has to move off guest spot and take a marquee spot. Can you claim Milligan as guest marquee quality? Probably not.

If we want to keep Troisi (needed more than Milligan IMO), need to move him to the marquee spot left by Bozanic. Or does Troisi have enough of a claim for the guest marquee spot so you can sign Milligan as a normal marquee?

The ACL still has 3+1 though.

The FFA would sooner let Milligan and Troisi waste away in a backwater Chinese second tier city than allow Victory to use a Guest Marquee spot on either.

Will Mark Milligan qualify as a Guest Marque ? 

Yes - if he plays for Melbourne City
Yes - if he plays for Sydney
No - if Melbourne Victory want him.
Probably no - for all other teams.

Lets be honest - the FFA have their favourites - and that is just the way it is.

lol, Milligan wouldn't make guest marquee if noddy was in charge. C'mon Victory, stop dicking around in the B-list and go get yourselves an A-list marquee!!

Agree with your first point, no way is Millsy a Guest Marquee. Somewhat agree with the second, while it would be good to get a big name, it's never really been the Victory way and I don't think it really makes a difference to most of our 26 thousand odd members. An on field fit is most important, if it happens to be a big name then so be it. Of course the ridiculous Guest Marquee basically forces you to look a 'name' player and then hope they fit your system, which is such a convoluted way of doing things.

If we get Millsy back and retain the likes of Rojas, Troisi, etc, we're building one hell of an ACL squad.

With the 4+1 visa rule supposed to come in for season 18/19, would be great to secure an Asian player in the guest marquee role.

Honda's contract is up with AC Milan before next season starts...

Add links to Williams and we could be looking REALLY good next season.

However I don't think we'll manage to get both Williams and Millsy and will be fortunate to get one. 

Melbourne Victory announce parternship with Victoria University

I believe this may be part of the inner workings of this new academy we keep hearing about. The proposed land is very close to one of the major VU campuses in Footscray.


https://www.vu.edu.au/about-vu/news-events/news/victory-for-all?utm_campaign=melbournevictory&utm_source=17027&utm_medium=Linkedin%3A+&utm_source=Social_Media&utm_medium=Organic&utm_term=&utm_content=&utm_campaign=melbournevictory

Victory for all

Wednesday 22 March 2017

Victoria University, Australia's leading sport university, has announced a five-year Strategic Partnership Agreement with the Melbourne Victory Football Club(external link).This new engagement will see Victoria University provide sport science and performance support for the MVFC Academy teams and provide a range of unique learning experiences for current and prospective Victoria University students.Victoria University's Professor Hans Westerbeek, PVC (Associate) - Sport Strategy and Dean of the College of Sport and Exercise Science, said the partnership will offer talented junior players a development pathway as part of an elite sporting environment that is underpinned by evidence based sport science and performance support.The partnership, effective immediately, will begin with VU’s Dr Fabio Serpiello (Head of Academy Performance and Sport Science) joining Melbourne Victory’s recently appointed Academy Director, Paulo Cardoso to head up the sport science and performance program.“It exposes our students to real life opportunities working with the biggest football club in Australia”, said Professor Westerbeek.Professor Westerbeek said the partnership cements Victoria University’s position as Australia’s leading Sports University.MVFC’s CEO Ian Robson said the partnership aligns with the “enormous body of work we are undertaking to establish the Melbourne Victory Academy, as well as other already established programs in our Hyundai A-League and Westfield W-League programs.”"We are thrilled to be working with Australia's leading Sports University for the next five years, and we're looking forward to building a strong and sustainable partnership with VU.We will truly benefit from the access to VU's coaching, sport science and high performance programs, and we're pleased to be able to offer VU's students an opportunity to experience working in an elite sporting organisation."It builds on the University’s diverse range of local and international collaborations with leading sports organisations including the Western Bulldog(external link)'s AFL, AFLW(external link) and VFL teams, Melbourne Vixens Netball Club, Tennis Australia, Swimming Australia and the Real Madrid Foundation.The partnership will allow Victoria University students in Masters of Sport Science (Football Performance) and Master of Sport Business and Integrity the opportunity participate in internships and undergraduate students in sport science, coaching and sport management to undertake student placements as part of the MVFC Youth Academy sport science and performance program.

When you say very close, you mean on campus for Footscray...

But great idea. Bed in to the community there.

 I wonder how and when we get the rugby team moved from there. As its on the maribynong river

All existing users of the fields will either be incorporated or relocated for the development of the youth academy. The club has entered in to a MOU with the council with a feasibility study due to be completed early this year.

Ah yeah. I remember reading about that mou on here and in the local paper. 

I did not know this. great news that it appears an announcement is imminent.

Not quite on campus, it's using council owned land right next to their Footscray campus.

They'd be a great fit for a partnership, IMO.

Where would we put Williams if we got him?

-PB

On the physio table, mostly.

I think Williams would slot in quite nicely next to Valeri in the role Broxham is currently playing. 

Attract a top class CM and he could easily slot in next to Baro. Would love to sign him for the flexibility he offers. 

Any news on Baro staying? Personally hope he does.

Also - Troisi will sign on for two years - but as a marquee.

That means if Millsy comes back he'd have to take a pay cut. Not sure if that would happen seeing he is on massive Arab wages.

Yeah but doesn't seem to be having a good time over there.

I also think as the cap grows and things like Berisha coming off marquee status, FBK leaving etc there will be a fair bit to throw around.

-PB

Hope you're right!

One person's XI for Brisbane:



Still no Nigro! Keen to see Theoharous, but I wish Kev let these guys spend more time with the first team on matchday prior to throwing them into the deep end.

Perhaps a more conservative XI using tried players while sticking to Kev's beloved Plan A would be:

Kosovo v Iceland is on at 06:45am Melbourne time Saturday morning, btw.