It will be a new-look Western Suburbs outfit that will attack the state league 1 soccer season.
After winning the title last year, Suburbs farewelled senior coach Terry Antoniadis, who stepped down in December.
He has been replaced by Paul Agathouli, who brings a wealth of experience to the role.
Agathouli was an assistant coach at Western Suburbs several years ago and has been head coach at Yarraville Soccer Club.
Although the appointment is somewhat of a homecoming for Agathouli, he says he’s looking forward to the challenge of working with a near-new squad.
“Since I was there last time, there has been a huge turnover of players,” Agathouli said. “I would say there are only three or four boys who were there when I was previously.”
Although they are the defending champions, Agathouli knows Western Suburbs will need to strengthen their squad during the off-season if they want to challenge for top honours again.
While he couldn’t confirm the signings at this stage, he said he was confident of adding a striker, a midfielder and a winger.
Agathouli is also happy that most of last year’s squad will be returning for the 2016 season.
“Prior to Christmas, we had a meeting with the players to announce myself,” he said. “I would say 90 per cent of the team was at that meeting, with most of them looking at staying.
“Prior to the meeting, I spoke to the assistant coach about the squad.
“He’s been involved in the club for seven or eight years and says last year’s squad was the tightest group of boys he’s seen in a very long time.
“It’s great they all want to continue to work together.”
Western Suburbs will begin its state league 1 campaign in March.
As with last year, the club is hunting down a hot start to the season. In 2015, Suburbs won 10 of their first 14 games and carried the momentum through to the end.
“What they were able to do last year was tremendous,” Agathouli says.
“Many players go through their careers without winning a championship. I’m sure they will have the hunger to do it again this year.
“I think getting a good start to the season is imperative.
“If we do get that good start it will just flow on week in week out.”
