Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Patrick Kearney

Olympic FC coach Jim Bellas says while 2016 shapes as a rebuilding year for the club he isn’t ruling out challenging for a fourth consecutive top four finish.

Olympic this week confirmed their squad for the upcoming PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues season, with a host of fresh faces moving into the senior set-up and recruited from outside the club’s ranks.

The squad announcement follows a clandestine summer that saw the club not announce any signings.

Bellas said while expectations are slightly lower this year as part of a multi-year plan to blood new talent, he believes the side will still have plenty to offer come season’s start.

“At the moment we are rebuilding and if we can get into the top four then it will be very good for the club,” Bellas said.

“Is it a top four team? I think it is but we need to work on a few things and every game that goes by we are getting better and better.”

Amongst the additions to the squad are former Brisbane Roar Youth players Logan Grillo and Liam O’Bryan, who was previously part of Olympic’s junior ranks.

2015 PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Under 23 All-Stars goalkeeper Nicholas Mooney also joins from FNQ Heat, while his All-Stars teammate Ryan Roderick returns to Olympic following a stint with cross-town rivals Brisbane City.

Moving into the senior squad from the 2015 Youth Men’s team are midfielder Kosi Yannakopoulos, attacker Youeil Shol and Matthew Gordon.

Further aiding the cause is the return of an experienced spine that includes attacking midfielder Danny Byrne (pictured), fullback Kazuya Ito, and midfielders Darren Gray and Scott Bow.

Bellas said those players will play a role in mentoring the younger players in the squad.

“The club wants these senior guys, especially the older ones, to help the younger guys progress and get better - that’s why they signed and otherwise I wouldn’t have signed them.”

However, Bellas was quick to point out no player is guaranteed a spot each week, adding, “It’s healthy when there is lots of competition for each position and I have played a lot of young players already (in pre-season) – the older guys might have to wake up to themselves and start playing even better.”

A raft of departures will also offer challenges for the team's chances of not only challenging in the league, but also of returning to the national stages of the Westfield FFA Cup.

Michael Lee and Matt Byrne have joined league rivals Redlands United and Moreton Bay United, respectively, former Brisbane Roar goalkeeper Matt Acton has moved to Philipines club Kaya FC, while Olympic’s all-time leading PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues goalscorer Tim Smits will also not be part of the squad for the first time since the competition’s inaugural season.

However, Bellas said Shol as well as Spanish recruit Sergio Castill – who played youth football with Atletico Madrid and Osasuna – loom as promising replacements for the former Hyundai A-League striker.

“Sergio is still familiarising himself with Australian football but he has the touches and he looks good. Hopefully he can cement his place.”

“But Youeil is going great as well and they will have to fight it out for that spot,” Bellas concluded.

Olympic open their PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues season at home to FNQ Heat on February 28.

Olympic FC Squad – PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016

Brendan CUMINAO, Matt MUNDY, Liam O’BRYAN, James CUMINAO, Scott BOW, Logan GRILLO, Kosi YANNAKOPOULOS, Sam CRONIN, Mark FISK, Darren GRAY, Danny BYRNE, Youeil SHOL, Matt GORDON, Josh JOKIC, Matt HEATH, Robert IRVING, Ryan RODERICK, Kazuya ITO (visa), Nicholas MOONEY, Segio CASTIL (visa)