Former Perth Glory stars Wayne Srhoj and Simon Colosimo have been named in Melbourne Heart FC’s extended 18-man squad to face their former side ahead of Sunday’s match at AAMI Park.
Former Perth Glory stars Wayne Srhoj and Simon Colosimo have been named in Melbourne Heart FC-s extended 18-man squad to face their former side ahead of Sunday-s match at AAMI Park.
Colosimo and Srhoj join Kristian Sarkies as inclusions in the extended squad after missing out on the opening match of the season through injury and non-selection respectively.
Sebastian Mattei is also set to retain his spot on the bench as reserve ‘keeper to Nikola Roganovic following the former Green Gully Cavalier-s promising first team debut last week.
Head Coach John van ‘t Schip was pleased with Roganovic-s debut performance and urged the 25-year-old to build on his first appearance ahead of Heart-s match up with the Glory.
Reigning Player of the Year Clint Bolton meanwhile will remain on the sidelines for at least another week, despite having made significant strides in his return from a groin injury.
The former Socceroo is among four players unavailable for selection with Rutger Worm, Eli Babalj and Adrian Zahra, who continues on his long road back to knee surgery.
Despite the disappointing nature of Heart-s opening round result, van ‘t Schip is set to keep faith with his central defensive partnership of Matt Thompson and Curtis Good.
Renowned for his versatility, Thompson-s superior distribution skills and composure on the ball makes him the perfect rearguard anchor for van ‘t Schip-s side, given the Dutchman-s predilection for ball playing central defenders.
Good meanwhile emerged over the off-season as a key component of the Heart defensive unit, with his strength and speed making him the ideal candidate to line-up alongside Thompson in the centre of defence in Colosimo-s absence.
Melbourne Heart FC Vs Perth Glory
Sunday 16 October
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Squad
2. Michael Marrone, 3. Brendan Hamill, 4. Simon Colosimo, 5. Fred, 6. Matt Thompson, 8. Kristian Sarkies, 9. Maycon, 10. Wayne Srhoj, 11. Alex Terra, 13. Jonatan Germano, 15. David Williams, 16. Aziz Behich, 17. Jason Hoffman, 18. Curtis Good, 22. Nick Kalmar, 23. Mate Dugandzic, 24. Nikola Roganovic (gk), 30. Sebastian Mattei (gk)
Unavailable
| Player | Injury | Duration |
| Clint Bolton | Groin | 2 weeks |
| Rutger Worm | Adductor | 1 week |
| Eli Babalj | Knee | 2-3 weeks |
| Adrian Zahra | Knee | Indefinite |
