2024 NPL Round 2 – Knights v Sharks

The Knights make their long-awaited return to home football this Friday night!

After what has felt like eons, the Knights are back on home soil for the first home game of the 2024 NPL Victoria season, facing off against the Port Melbourne Sharks.

After a lot of effort, and not much to show for it, the Knights walked away empty handed from NPL Season opener, also the OG Melbourne Derby, against South Melbourne FC. For most Knights fans, this was the first time seeing the new Knights squad together and making himself know immediately to the opposition was new recruit Tommy Semmy who had a blistering first game for the side. Speaking on his debut for the Knights Semmy said “I’m happy with my overall performance on the night but there’s always room for improvement”.

Alongside Semmy, Ben Carrigan and Joseph Franjic also put in solid performances for the Knights.
Turning attention to our opponents, the Sharks have had heavy rotation through their senior squad and supporting structure. Departing the club is former head coach Adam Piddick, making room for new head coach Nick Marinos, who was promoted to head coach after heading up the clubs reserve side, where he coach the side to five NPL U23/U21 championships.

On the senior men’s squad, the Sharks have brought in a number of new signings: Daniel Cutter (Peninsula Power), Ethan Brooks (Pascoe Vale), Mark Latsis (Melbourne Victory U23), Nathanial Hancock (South Melbourne), Lucas Byrns (Western United), Iliya Shalamanov-Trenkov (CSKA Sofia), Daniel Serra (North Geelong Warriors), Andrico Mesourouni (South Melbourne), Eoghan Stokes (Christchurch United), Alec Becvinovski (Melbourne City), Jesse Barber (Geelong SC), Georgy Shalamanov-Trenkov (PFC Slavia Sofia), Amanhom Khamis (Moreland City).

Head-to-head, the Knights and the Shark both claimed wins against each other at each other’s home grounds last season, with the Shark finishing one place and two points behind the Knights in fifth at the conclusion of the 2023 season. The final game the two sides played was the preliminary final, where the Knights exacted some revenge, beating the Sharks 2-0 to book their place in the Semi-Final against Avondale FC.

It’s all happening at Somers Street this Friday night. Knights office opens at 5pm for Membership purchases and collections. Melbourne Croatia opens at 5:30pm for dinner and drinks with Grupa Akord providing entertainment throughout the night. Gates open at 6:30pm. Kick-off 7:30pm! Don’t miss this one Knights fans!

Match Details

NPL Victoria 2023 – Round 22: Melbourne Knights FC vMoreland City

Knights Stadium, North Sunshine

Sunday, 16 July (4pm KO)

Melbourne Knights FC squad

2.Ben Carrigan, 4.Corey Sewell, 5.Ivan Franjic, 6.Anthony Duzel, 7.Mitch Hore, 8.Steve Whyte, 9.Ciarran Bramwell, 10. Gian Albano, 12. Felipe Sanchez, 13. Chris Oldfield, 14. Tomas Karlovic, 15. John Mabok 17. Mohammed Sumaoro, 18. Jack Morton, 21. Jakeb Wiseman, 23.Tom Woerndl, 27. Joseph Franjic, 29. Saif Eddine Sakhi, 32. Tommy Semmy

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