Bleiberg opens door on final squad place

Following the signing of former Melbourne Victory youngster Carl Recchia on a short-term contract to replace the injured Massimo Murdocca, two state league players will battle it out in the coming days in a bid to secure the 20th position in Miron Bleiberg’s squad.

Former Marconi midfielder Grant Last and David Pilic of Victorian Premier League outfit Essendon Royals, will spend up to the next two weeks training with the current 19-man squad.

25-year-old Last, an Australian Institute of Sport graduate who move north and turned out for local side Brisbane City at the tail-end of last season, was understandably hopeful of what might be on the horizon.

“I’d love to play for Queensland in the Hyundai A-League – it’s something that I’ll strive for while I’m here,” he said.

“I think my best position is in the midfield, so I fancy myself as a bit of a playmaker – if I can help in that department it will be good.

“I was here about two months ago and I trained with the team for a couple of weeks and it was great. The facilities they’ve got here are second to none and the coaching staff and everyone here seem to be really good. I’m really enjoying it and hopefully in the next couple of days I can show Miron that I can bring something to the team.”

Pilic, who spent several seasons with the Brisbane Strikers in the old NSL and is well known to a number of the Roar squad, says he is determined to use his chance but did remain cautious of getting ahead of himself.

“I’m very excited – I played in the old national league but to play in the Hyundai A-League would be something else,” said 28-year-old Pilic.

“Fingers crossed but nothing is certain – I’ve just come here to do my best, enjoy it and see what happens. It’s a professional club and that’s why a lot of players want to come here. It’s a great set-up, a great place and it would be great to be involved.

“I’m a midfielder and I’ll play anywhere in the midfield, but I do like the centre-mid where I can get forward most. But anywhere in the team would be great.”

Bleiberg said he is looking to sign a 20th squad member, but only if the player suits the team’s requirements and adds something new to the current roster.

“Massimo Murdocca is a unique player and we saw against Newcastle how much we lacked his bite and there is no doubt that we missed him. If we can sign another player that will compensate for him by adding something else then that’s a scenario that we have to consider favourably.

“Carl Recchia will replace Massimo in the immediate future but as I said we do have another vacant spot. David and Grant will train with us and we will take it from there. We have a spot available but we are not obliged to fill it. If the right player comes along and he can give us depth and variation then we will go for it; if not, we will survive with what we have,” said Bleiberg.