Murfy1

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/football/a-league/teams/adelaide/adelaide-united-put-offer-to-mystery-marquee-striker/news-story/a921a5aec9147d2297bc2f57decb1e50

Player Update: Ivan Franjic Tuesday, 16 August 2016 Melbourne City FC can confirm defender Ivan Franjic has been ruled out for an indefinite period after suffering a virus during pre-season. The virus has caused inflammation in the area surrounding his heart and subsequently the player has discontinued training. Franjic is currently under the care and assessment of a specialist cardiologist who has advised that he will make a full recovery. http://www.melbournecityfc.com.au/article/player-update-ivan-franjic/zm9nwl7cnsz61x6q5hwm26hnb

How will Melbourne City use Tim Cahill? By Michael Huguenin 16/08/2016 ANALYSIS | If John van 't Schip can fit Cahill alongside marquee striker Bruno Fornaroli, Melbourne City will be serious contenders for the A-League title Melbourne City coach John van 't Schip is convinced Tim Cahill can adapt to his team's style but it remains to be seen how the Socceroos forward will slot into the A-League's most attacking side. With record-breaking striker Bruno Fornaroli notching 25 goals last season, City scored 66 in 2015-16 before being eliminated by eventual champions Adelaide United in the semi-finals. Fornaroli was a revelation up front for City with now-departed Socceroos midfielder Aaron Mooy (11 goals) pulling the strings behind him, while Harry Novillo (10) provided support from wide areas. But Cahill's preference for playing as a centre forward in the latter years of his career and Van 't Schip's general unwillingness to play two strikers could force Fornaroli into a less familiar position. Speaking at Cahill's unveiling on Monday, Van 't Schip insisted City won't need to overhaul their style to accommodate the 36-year-old striker. "When we get a player in like Tim, we have to use to try and see and use his qualities but it doesn't mean we have to change everything because of one player," Van 't Schip said. "Tim can fit into that system very well. "That's why we got him in and we'll have the time and we'll need the time to see how we can work that out in the best possible way." Both Van 't Schip and Cahill emphasised the amount of work the latter will need to do when defending, with the Socceroos forward declaring he is used to pressing high from playing under Ange Postecoglou. "I've watched a lot of video. I've had to learn the way that they play," Cahill said. On Monday, City played a scratch match at training with both sides lining up in 4-3-3 formations. Fornaroli was up front for the first team, while Cahill played on the other side as the centre forward. Josh Rose and Manny Muscat were the first team's full-backs alongside Osama Malik and Connor Chapman, with Luke Brattan, Neil Kilkenny and Anthony Caceres in midfield. Fornaroli was flanked by Nick Fitzgerald and Bruce Kamau. If 4-3-3 is to remain Van 't Schip's preferred formation, Fornaroli will have to play out wide as Cahill can't really play anywhere other than through the middle. While Fornaroli has insisted he can play in different positions, the 28-year-old has never scored as many goals as he did as City's main marksman last term. Argentine winger Fernando Brandan, who played in behind Cahill for the second team on Monday, is likely to be a starter by the time the A-League begins in October. To get Fornaroli into a central position, City could tweak their formation to a 4-2-3-1, which could also see the Uruguayan replace the creativity lost with the departure of Mooy. Corey Gameiro - if fit - or Kamau could slot in as a winger, with Brattan and Kilkenny shielding City's back four. But such a formation could see a split between City's defensive midfielders and front four, as Cahill, Fornaroli and Brandan are unlikely to drop too deep. To make a 4-2-3-1 work, a more industrious winger such as Fitzgerald could provide balance by dropping into midfield when City don't have the ball. Another option for Van 't Schip would be to play both Cahill and Fornaroli as strikers in a 4-4-2 with a diamond midfield. Brandan might have to be benched for this formation with Caceres perhaps more suited to a classic number 10 role, while Fitzgerald's energy would be critical. City also used a back three on a number of occasions last term but with their lack of central defenders at this point of the pre-season, it's hard to see Van 't Schip going down that road again in 2016-17. If the Dutch coach can find a way to get the best out of Fornaroli and Cahill, City could be hard to stop this season but it won't be easy with two players suited to the same position. http://www.goal.com/en-au/news/4021/a-league/2016/08/16/26568672/how-will-melbourne-city-use-tim-cahill?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

The full exclusive interview with Cahill here (with Daniel Garb on Fox Sports): http://www.foxsports.com.au/video/football/a-league/tim-cahill-1-on-1!540638 Cahill's interview earlier today on SEN: https://audioboom.com/boos/4936607-tim-cahill-on-breakfast-with-frank-and-ox

As far as I'm concerned, they got rid of the navy blue strip from last season's home jersey as promised.

Interesting team photo today. A few new faces. At very least they are youth team players training with the senior team..

Melbourne City thinks Don is good August 15, 2016 mongst Melbourne City’s unveiling of this season’s Nike home kits and the first training session of marquee signing Tim Cahill, the club also announced a new three-year partnership with Don Smallgoods. As part of the deal, Don’s branding will feature on the sleeve of both the A-League and W-League team’s home jerseys while the smallgoods producer has upgraded their status as one of City’s major partners. Don’s joins Etihad Airways, Nissan, Hostels as sponsor of the club’s home kits. Paul Mealor, Managing Director of Don Smallgoods, said. “Don is proud of its Melbourne heritage and past association with sport in Victoria. “As football continues to maintain its position as the most popular sport in the country, with growing participation rates across both males and females, it’s timely to be formalising a union that’s been in the making for some time.” http://sportsbusinessinsider.com.au/news/melbourne-city-thinks-don-good/

Melbourne City buzzing as Tim Cahill signs Ben McKay August 15, 2016 Melbourne City want Tim Cahill's signature to complete the club's transformation from A-League ugly ducklings to top dogs. The all-time leading Socceroos goalscorer enjoyed his first training outing for his new club on Monday, the first time since 1997 he's worn Australian club colours. For City fans, there's never been a more hopeful time to be a supporter. There have been other milestones such as the club's formation in 2009, its league debut a year later and the purchase by cashed-up conglomerate City Football Group early in 2014. Then there was World Cup winner David Villa's guest stint later that year. But it's Cahill's signing that completes the cycle. The biggest name in Australian football is now playing for the club that used to treat players to ice baths in recycling bins. Coach John van 't Schip said the club's evolution had City well poised to leave their mark this season. "We are looking every time to improve," he said. "We improved with facilities. We're improving with the quality in players. We signed Bruno (Fornaroli) up as a marquee. We got Tim in. "But those are no guarantees to win a title. "It's all about hard work. Dedication. Effort. "The real attitude to have that winning mentality ... those things Tim all has. "He's won titles. He has a winning mentality. He has a guidance for young players. "He's going to help us. We're going to help him. In the end it has to result in that we can lift a trophy." Luke Brattan, who joined in the off-season, has spent time with Cahill in Socceroos camps and hopes his professionalism rubs off on the entire squad. "He's massive. A fantastic footballer and a fantastic bloke off the field as well," he said. "He takes a lot of responsibility. He's a great leader and I can't say enough good things about him. "I'm buzzing to have him here and can't wait to get started." Another new squad member and fellow Socceroo Neil Kilkenny said the club was setting its expectations high. "You don't want to go into a season thinking we'll come second. We want to come in and go for everything," he said. "Hopefully he'll score many goals and help the squad." https://au.sports.yahoo.com/football/a/32340989/melbourne-city-buzzing-as-tim-cahill-signs/#page1 Cahill 'massive' for Melbourne City - Brattan By Michael Huguenin 15/08/2016 Just one training session in and already City players are speaking in glowing terms about the Socceroos forward Tim Cahill's new Melbourne City team-mates were impressed by what the Socceroos striker produced in his first training session with the club. Having been without a club since his last match for Hangzhou Greentown on July 10, Cahill was put through a full training session on Monday and City midfielder Luke Brattan was amazed by the Socceroos striker's level. Cahill has set himself a goal of being fully fit within three weeks, and judging by his team-mates' reviews, Australia's all-time leading goalscorer will achieve that. "He looked sharp," Brattan said of Cahill. "He was saying he hasn't done anything in four to six weeks. Me after a four to six weeks, I don't look like that, so he's looking really good." Neil Kilkenny was also impressed by Cahill even if he did recommend patience. "He looked good, and obviously with a couple more training sessions with the group and a bit more fitness, I'm sure he'll help the group massively," Kilkenny said. Cahill has joined City for the next two A-League seasons and many pundits are predicting the 36-year-old will take both the club and competition to another level. Brattan labelled Cahill "massive" for City, while goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen embraced the pressure that comes with having the A-League's most expensive player as a team-mate. "I think we're looking even stronger than last year," Sorensen said of City. "So we've got high hopes but, you know, you can talk about it - it's got to be done on the pitch when the season starts and the pressure will be on us with Tim and other players coming in, but I feel we're ready for it. "I'm looking forward to it." http://www.goal.com/en-au/news/4021/a-league/2016/08/15/26519542/cahill-massive-for-melbourne-city-brattan

Full Cahill presser: Short interview with Sorensen today about Cahill: http://www.goal.com/en-au/news/4303/video/2016/01/01/19721532/australian-football-videos-news?ICID=HP_TN_6_8#share=true&playerID=50cc82252020b18e27daec850a.4ku16431i8s81et2hal38ffsf&time=0&vid=1l4v6o4h46gtc1we6iyx107tkf Short interview with Kilkenny today about Cahill: http://www.goal.com/en-au/news/4303/video/2016/01/01/19721532/australian-football-videos-news?ICID=HP_TN_6_8#share=true&playerID=50cc82252020b18e27daec850a.4ku16431i8s81et2hal38ffsf&time=0&vid=1b05o29uq5qvi1path4v7x5g7i

A bit of a summary of Cahill's first day training. To his credit he is saying all the right stuff: Tim Cahill joins Melbourne City for first training run since joining A-League club David Davutovic August 15, 2016 TIM Cahill revealed that he already feels energised by his decision to return home after 19 years and play with Melbourne City. The Socceroos superstar today completed his first session with his new teammates at City’s Latrobe University base in Bundoora. While excited about the impact he can make on the A-League, Cahill said ultimately wants to win City’s first trophy. “It’s an exciting moment, it’s been 19 years since I’ve been back to Australia properly and I’ll actually play football,” Cahill said. “I didn’t know I could feel like this as a footballer again, it’s very special. Just arriving in the country yesterday, it actually hit me that it’s real. “I’m excited for big things here, it’s a really nice place to be. It feels good, I know it’s the right decision. “The target will be at the end of the season, how can we create all the great goals we scored last year and concede less goals so we can be in the position we want to be and that’s hopefully lifting a trophy, or a few trophies. “I think we’ll create a good ethos around this team. (Take) what they’ve already created into a team that’s hungry and going to get more success than what they did last year.” Cahill was unveiled this morning with his new teammates getting a taste of life alongside the megastar, as a massive media throng watched on. The striker, who last played for Hangzhou Greentown five weeks ago, said he felt good but still needed to get up to match fitness. “I had a good training session today, the build up and shape, it felt good,” he said. “It was nice to have a kick around after four weeks and it was really important to meet my teammates first before doing the press conference. “For me my target is to get fit in two weeks, maybe three. My next target is to be on the pitch for opening game of the season and to help create a long-term goal of being competitive with these players.” Coach John van’t Schip made no assurances that Cahill would be picked for the FFA Cup Round of 16 visit to Brisbane Strikers on August 24 but it appears likely. He is on track to be selected for the Socceroos’ upcoming World Cup qualifiers, against Iraq (September 1, Perth) and UAE (September 6, away), which will be announced on Wednesday. “It’s a bit too early to talk about that. We’ve got to monitor Tim to get him in 2-3 weeks in good shape,” van’t Schip said. “We have to make sure that he feels good and that we don’t rush those things (when he starts playing). “So we’ll see how it goes day by day. He’s been on a break for a few weeks, he did some light training himself but the body needs some rest and we have to monitor Tim now.” http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/football/a-league/teams/melbourne-city/tim-cahill-joins-melbourne-city-for-first-training-run-since-joining-aleague-club/news-story/7a847329e3782214623e569f9217fe3e

Exclusive: Tim Cahill speaks to Fox Sports News after arriving in Australia 14 August 2016 [ The whole video interview is here ] SOCCEROOS superstar and new Melbourne City marquee signing Tim Cahill has touched down in Australia ahead of the new A-league season as the buzz around his return reaches fever pitch. In one of the biggest coups in the A-League’s short history, the 36-year-old was lured home on a two-year deal understood to be worth about $3.5 million for the first season, with the move a massive boost for the competition. While there’s no doubt City and the A-League will get plenty of bang for their buck, Cahill’s return has drawn criticism, with some believing his belated decision to return to Australia is motivated by an opportunity for one last payday. It’s a criticism that understandably irks the 36-year-old who’s done so much to promote football in Australia and, speaking exclusively to Fox Sports News, he revealed how he plans to respond. “It’ll take time to educate people and make them understand, but I really like to do my talking on the pitch like I’ve done internationally, and I think all part of my career I’ve made sure that I’ve done things tactically,” he said. The 91 cap Socceroo will not only add to Melbourne City’s potent attack, but also give the A-League a genuine Australian superstar to promote the competition, a role that Cahill is keen to embrace. “I think I can add a lot of value to the league and more importantly work on some of these amazing programs that I have for the last four years with Fox Sports and Foxtel, and really try to bring some growth to the game,” Cahill said. The hero of three World Cup campaigns, Cahill has had enormous success building an off-field profile but he’s never let that side of his life sidetrack him from what he does on the field. The star forward is renowned for being one of the most dedicated trainers in football and he said he was excited to continue to play at a high level is a sports mad city like Melbourne. “It’s an exciting time, very special and I’m looking forward to it,” Cahill said. “I think it’s been 19-20 years since I left as a young kid to follow my dreams, and to come around in the full circle, I have to admit it’s an exciting time for me and my family. “It brings me closer to my mum and dad, my brothers, my sister. It’s special.” Cahill will join his new teammates for his first training session tomorrow and said he was excited to get stuck into his inaugural A-League campaign. “My first thing is I want to meet the boys and the staff,” Cahill said. “I’ve been to the training ground already, but I think it’s important that I come in under the radar and be around my teammates and the staff.” The first City game Cahill will be available for is the A-League side’s FFA Cup Round of 16 clash against Queensland NPL side Brisbane Strikers on 24 August, but does the Socceroos star think he’ll be ready to suit up by then. “I don’t have a clue to be honest, you’ll have to ask the doctors,” Cahill said. “I’ve still got a bit of work to do. I’ve had a month off and we’ll see how we go, but I’ve had some good family time now but also I’ve played half a season in China already, and we’ll see how it goes.” http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/exclusive-tim-cahill-speaks-to-fox-sports-news-after-arriving-in-australia/news-story/4d686ba23c6b62ed9bc1588c8bbfcb52

Evergreen Tim Cahill set for Socceroos’ World Cup qualifiers David Davutovic 14 August, 2016 TIM Cahill looks set to be picked for the Socceroos’ World Cup qualifiers against Iraq and the UAE in September. Cahill starts training with Melbourne City on Monday when he will be officially unveiled as his new club’s star signing. City has only one official clash before the Socceroos’ qualifiers against Iraq (September 1, Perth) and UAE (September 6, away), the FFA Cup Round of 16 visit to Brisbane Strikers on August 24. However Cahill is understood to have maintained an intensive training regime since leaving Chinese club Huangzhou a month ago, and FFA’s conditioning staff has monitored him closely. Postecoglou said Cahill would be assessed this week before the squad was picked for the start of the crucial third and final phase of the 2018 World Cup qualifying. “I’ll have a look at it and I certainly wouldn’t rule him out,’’ Postecoglou said. “He’ll start training (at City) this week, we were still monitoring him and what he’s doing so we know exactly where he’s at. “He’s the kind of player that can make an impact even if he’s not 100 per cent so I’ll make that decision in the next few days.’’ Postecoglou backed Cahill’s ‘shrewd’ decision to join Melbourne City on a two-year deal, taking him right up to Russia 2018. City has transformed from A-League paupers into the best-resourced club since City Football Group’s $11.25m buy in 2014 and Postecoglou said he would be well managed. “He’s going to be fantastic for Melbourne City to start with. It’s important he’s gone to the right club,’’ he said. “The one thing that will help us is that I know he will be well looked after in a sports science aspect. “He’s very professional on and off the field but he’ll have a really good infrastructure at City to make sure his body is looked after, which is key, and the league will suit him in that sense.’’ Asked whether Cahill, 36, would make it to Russia 2018, Postecoglou said it would be foolish to look too far ahead but said the Socceroos’ record scorer remained a key member of his squad. “That’s still way down the line. We’ve still got to qualify,’’ Postecoglou said. “All I can do is look at players’ form and impact within the group and he’s still a very important part of what we do, but in two years’ time who’s to say any of us will be there. “We’ve got games coming up and he’s part of the squad at the moment and he’s an important part of the squad.’’ http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/football/evergreen-tim-cahill-set-for-socceroos-world-cup-qualifiers/news-story/31e25886772f0560b25b7bf0d854a19d

Tim Cahill to take pay cut of more than $3m in his second season with Melbourne City David Davutovic 13 August 2016 TIM Cahill will take a $3 million-plus pay cut in his second season with Melbourne City. The Socceroos legend, who arrives in Melbourne on Sunday and starts training with City on Monday, has been rewarded with a deal in excess of $3.5 million in his debut season with the club. The Sunday Herald Sun can reveal that Cahill will move inside the salary cap in season two, meaning his 2017-18 salary is likely to be worth less than $400,000. The combined Cahill playing package will be around $4 million — far less than many had speculated — though it’s likely to push $4.5-5 million once the Football Federation Australia subsidy and third-party deals are added. Cahill, who rejected several other more lucrative offers, is believed to have been enticed by the “player-to-coach pathway” offered to him by City, following in the footsteps of former English Premier League rival Patrick Vieira. The striker signed a three-year deal that morphs into a coaching role with the City Football Group. The heavily front-ended Cahill deal is divided in three parts: — FIRST-year as a multi-million-dollar guest player under the new FFA ruling; — SECOND year in a heavily reduced deal taking him inside the salary cap; — THIRD year as a coach with CFG. The plans mirror the pathway created for former Arsenal and France star Vieira, who finished his career with Manchester City before transitioning into a coaching and ambassadorial role. Manchester-based Brian Marwood, managing director of City Football Services, was the brainchild of the Vieira plan and said they were excited by Cahill’s potential impact. “Having Tim join us really builds on the momentum we have created on and off the field over the past two seasons,’’ Marwood said. “His playing credentials combined with his incredible experience will allow him to make an important and timely contribution to the team. “The plan to transition Tim to join our coaching team is both significant and exciting. His international experience as a player on four different continents marries perfectly with City Football Group’s unique global footprint. “Following the player-to-coach pathway of Patrick Vieira, Tim has a real opportunity to develop within City Football Group both on the field and from the touchline.” The coaching role is yet to be determined, but could be as a senior assistant or youth team coach at Melbourne City, while it’s likely to include education at Manchester City and/or New York City. MEANWHILE Melbourne City agreed to release midfielder Jacob Melling and defender Jack Clisby to join Western Sydney. Both expressed a desire to leave the club for more first-team opportunities. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/football/a-league/tim-cahill-to-take-pay-cut-of-more-than-3m-in-his-second-season-with-melbourne-city/news-story/a1ee6a585bdaaf4721a6ee4f06245a64

Officially joined WSW: If the club is going to release ok/decent players, it's got to step up and sign superior players, or else it deserves some criticism.

How Melbourne City landed Tim Cahill August 12, 2016 By Ray Gatt The heating was on but it did nothing to hide the frostiness in the air as Tim Cahill and Football Federation Australia chief executive David Gallop sat down over a coffee at Sydney’s InterContinental hotel on a brisk June day. To his credit, Gallop knew what had to be done and had initiated the peace meeting, hoping to sort out issues that had developed between the two earlier in the year. They had been involved in an ugly war of words via the media in February after Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua opted not to re-sign Cahill, a decision that sparked reports Australia’s greatest player might be lured to the A-League. Gallop had suggested there had been moves to sign him but they had been knocked back because the A-League “could not meet his needs”. Cahill, who had criticised the league for lacking ­vision several weeks earlier, vehemently denied this via social media. Early in June, Cahill issued a challenge “to the big boss man” (Gallop) to make him an offer. The relationship had reached an impasse that was hurting the game. But now the two finally had the chance to talk face-to-face on the eve of Australia’s friendly against Greece. Insiders suggest the atmosphere was “initially very icy” but eventually they sorted out their differences. Gallop went on to issue a statement several days later, saying: “I obviously regret that my comments in February were taken as a criticism of him and the whole thing became the subject of so much commentary. “Tim and I had a chance to catch up. Firstly, it was a chance for me to reiterate that it would be fantastic to have Tim playing in the A-League. Whatever decision he next takes, he told me the door is not closed to the A-League and won’t be while ever he is still playing football. He did not intend to so strongly criticise the competition but rather demonstrate his passion and ambition for Australian football.” The healing process was finally completed yesterday when it was announced that Cahill was coming home to play with Melbourne City in the A-League, having signed a lucrative $4.5 million a season deal for the next two years. Unknown to most, the wheels had started turning sometime in May when Melbourne City officials and Cahill first made contact. The Australian exclusively broke that story on June 7, revealing City were making a play for Cahill, before revealing 10 days later a deal had all but been done. With the deal evolving quickly, FFA and City needed to sort out the marquee situation at the club. Under A-League rules, clubs are permitted to sign only two marquees. They can also sign a guest player but for 14 games only. City already had plans to upgrade star striker Bruno Fornaroli to marquee status and had apparently agreed to terms to sign a yet unnamed marquee. An attempt was made to convince the A-League clubs to allow for a third marquee but that was rejected. As a compromise, FFA, desperate to get Cahill not just for his profile but to help with negotiations for a new broadcast deal, suggested the guest player rule be changed to allow for a player to stay for the entire season. This would be for one season only. In effect, it was still a third marquee but the clubs, some reluctantly, agreed to the change. The door was now open for City to get their man and the club, backed by the power City Football Group, which also owns the Manchester City and New York City clubs, was never going to accept no for an answer. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/football/aleague-how-melbourne-city-landed-tim-cahill/news-story/89e528420523a2619395c07fd9903bcd Tim Cahill could make Melbourne City debut in FFA Cup clash 12 August 2016 The odds of Tim Cahill making his Australian club debut in a suburban park in Brisbane have shortened. Cahill’s new club Melbourne City have been handed an FFA Cup round of 16 match away to Brisbane Strikers on August 24 at Perry Park in Bowen Hills. The date is free of Socceroos commitments, meaning Cahill will be available to play the former National Soccer League club. Unless City coach John van ’t Schip opts to spare Cahill the trip to Queensland, his selection will come down to fitness. The 36-year-old signed for City on Thursday and will link up with the club on Monday, nine days before the FFA Cup tie. Cahill has been without a club for a month after leaving Chinese Super League club Hangzhou Greentown but is a notorious fitness freak, making a debut possible. On Thursday, Strikers chief executive Bruce Dinsdale said he would be surprised if Cahill headed north. “I would have thought they’d give him a couple of weeks to get into it. But hopefully he comes – it’d be fantastic,” he told AAP. “Tim Cahill is a hero everywhere he goes. The boys are looking forward to it, they’re rapt. They’re pretty excited to test themselves.” https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/aug/12/tim-cahill-melbourne-city-debut-ffa-cup-clash

Jets eyeing Velaphi Aug. 11, 2016 By The Secret Agent Newcastle Jets are on the lookout for a keeper on the back of Mark Birighitti's move to Swansea. That leaves local boy Ben Kennedy as the no.1 option at the club, though it is believed coach Scott Miller does not rate Kennedy all that highly. We understand that journeyman custodian Tando Velaphi, now playing in the J-League with Shonan Bellmare, may be considered as he is keen to return to Australia. http://www.sportingnews.com/football/list/the-secret-agent-wanderers-to-snap-up-city-defender/1u9w9p0fsrtx91a5zjeu5jbiry/slide/2

As usual, given the source, take it with more than a grain of salt: Clisby bound for Wanderers Aug. 11, 2016 By The Secret Agent We can reveal that Melbourne City utility defender Jack Clisby is another player to have his contract cut short with the City Group. Clisby was only 10 weeks into a two-year deal with City but was told to look elsewhere as chances would be limited this season. It certainly looks like a strange decision by coach John Van Schip given Clisby's short time at the club. It is believed Clisby will agree to sign a deal that will see him play for Western Sydney Wanderers, joining his former City teammate Jacob melling. Stay tuned Wanderers fans. http://www.sportingnews.com/football/list/the-secret-agent-wanderers-to-snap-up-city-defender/1u9w9p0fsrtx91a5zjeu5jbiry/slide/1

Great to have it announced. Now the club and the players can focus on building a quality and effective team, that's also got some (deserved) buzz and excitement going into the 2016/17 season. AAMI Park better buy some extra corner flags!

I expressed my opinion on Zullo. I think we should of kept him, and I think JVS bungled things with him so he left for Sydney. It is a bit hard to judge a player who's in such a messy and poor quality team such as the present day Central Coast Mariners. Caceres looked rather ordinary with them a year ago as well. And Joshua Rose does have top drawer A-League pedigree. Just 2 years ago (in the 2013-2014 season) Josh Rose was a big part of the CCM team that finished 3rd and made the ACL playoffs, and the season before that (2012-2013) Rose was a main player in the Graham Arnold CCM team that won the grand final, and the two seasons before that Rose was both times the A-League Team of the Season LB as CCM finished 1st in 2011-12 and 2nd in 2010-11. So I'd say if Josh Rose is deemed 100% fit in his medical, he's a pretty solid A-League LB, especially when other limited Australian options are considered. Another encouraging note about Rose's signing is that it most likely means that the 2 remaining Visa spots will be used on one central defender, and probably one midfielder or attacker. And the remaining marquee spot will be used on one of those 2 positions as well. All up I'd say that would be the best use of our remaining Visa spots and marquee spot, and the team will have been very well strengthened going into the new season.

Davutovic did say in an article yesterday (mainly about Fornaroli re-signing) Melbourne City is "set to unveil the Aussie legend this week" (source). So Davutovic and Gatt are saying this week, and Sebastian Hassett is saying maybe later this month. Given that Hassett said one month ago that "an announcement is “imminent” " and that "he could be unveiled during the next week" (reported on the 13th of July), I'm more inclined to believe Davutovic and Gatt.

Wednesday.

Fitness and injury summary from the head physio: Bruno's press conference from earlier today:

After 4 years where our strikers were the likes of Maycon, Mifsud and David Williams, it's an absolute pleasure to know that we'll have (at least) 4 years of Fornaroli.