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Soon after announcing the capture of John van’t Schip as Melbourne Heart’s inaugural coach late last year, club chief executive officer Scott Munn told me that “this is where the exciting stuff starts.” He was alluding to the piecing together of new A-League club’s playing list.
Think of being able to act out your own real-life Football Manager scenario, and you might have an idea of what he was getting at.
Of course, there was and is more at stake than personal pride for Munn, van’t Schip, football manager John Didulica and company.
There is no opportunity for the Heart to go back to a previously saved version or simply start again.
Nor can the club merely turn off the computer at any stage and simply walk away.
The stakes are high and interest is keen. But if the club had hoped to create a buzz around its A-League credentials even before kicking a ball in anger, then the hierarchy deserve to take a bow.
Mission well accomplished.
The club signed former Socceroo Josip Skoko as its Australian marquee yesterday, bringing to 17 the number of players on the club’s roster.
An international striker is still on the list, further adding to what is – on paper – already among the league’s best squads.
Clint Bolton will take his place between the posts as the club’s first choice goalkeeper, and he as much as anyone will be thrilled at the Socceroo-laden defence in front of him
Dean Hefferan, Michael Beauchamp, Simon Colosimo and Matt Thompson all have recent Australia caps, while fellow defender Michael Marrone appears destined to join them as an international one day soon.
Skoko and veteran striker John Aloisi need little introduction, with homegrown duo Wayne Srhoj and Kristian Sarkies possessing Socceroo ambitions of their own.
Dutch import Rutger Worm adds attacking nous, while the squad has been complemented by Australian youth quintet Jason Hoffman, Brendan Hamill, Eli Babalj, Kliment Taseski and Kamal Ibrahim.
Then there is the unproven but reportedly well-scouted Brazilian forward Alex Terra.
Like a woman and her bag, Brazilian players have become somewhat of a must-have accessory for most A-League clubs. Where would a club be without one?
While Sarkies and Hoffman in particular have not been without their critics at former clubs Adelaide United and Newcastle respectively, the squad makes for appetizing reading for the fledgling club’s supporters.
van’t Schip has done his homework, clocking up countless frequent flier miles around Australia and the globe.
But the role of astute football ops man Didulica cannot be disregarded. The former Australian Professional Football Association chief has a contact book a mile thick, and has used it wisely.
The Heart, of course, has had the benefit of a clean slate when it has come to its signing. Misjudged multi-year deals do not weigh its salary cap down.
But in cunningly signing several enthusiastic youngsters to its list it has freed up space at the other end for players such as Beauchamp and Colosimo.
van’t Schip still has the task of moulding his players into a team capable of competing in the A-League.
But he and the club have already piqued the interest of A-League followers, both those willing to pin their colours to the Heart’s mast or just curious in seeing what their own side will come up against next season.
In Australia’s commonly volatile football landscape, that is worth every penny spent.
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