By JARROD POTTER
BRINGING in the big guns for its first – and hopefully last – season in NPL2 East, Dandenong Thunder beat the NPL deadline in style by signing an Australian soccer champion.
Weaving another piece of transfer magic, Dandenong Thunder signed its best recruit yet with Simon Colosimo adding another important piece to the club’s promotion ambitions.
After time spent in the national colours, and overseas with Manchester City among other clubs, Colosimo has been plying his craft locally for the last few years.
Wanting more than just a great on-field culture at wherever he would sign, Colosimo said the vibe at George Andrews Reserve played a big part in his decision last week.
“I’ve got a couple of kids and just deciding on what to do – I was just trying to find the right fit,” Colosimo said. “I’m not playing just for the sake of playing – I want to enjoy my football first and foremost.
“I liked what I heard and what the guys were saying about how they try to engage the community and ensure there’s a good spirit around the club.
“I know a couple of players in the changerounds and that makes it easier, but hearing about the club and the coaching staff and the community … it’s impressed me and the football’s the football and it’s the whole package that I’ve come over for.”
With Colosimo holding together the Thunder defence, the locals had no trouble in their season opener on Saturday night, comfortably knocking over Nunawading City 4-0.
Showcasing its star last-minute signing, the Thunder completely shut the door on the visitors with the emphatic all-round performance and Colosimo was thrilled with the comprehensive performance.
“I thought it was excellent – you talked about the first half, second half – all that went missing in the first half was putting them in the back of the net,” Colosimo said. “I think we made more chances in the first than we did in the second.
“We obviously had a game-plan, we went out there and didn’t know much about them, but we created anywhere between 15 and 20 good, solid chances and in a 90-minute game of football that’s what you want.”
Dandenong’s passionate crowd made for an incredible atmosphere and Colosimo believes it is one of the best locally.
“The most pleasing thing from my point of view is the community getting out here and it was tremendous to see and some really good noise there,” Colosimo said. “They were with us – we were getting frustrated and were unable to score and then when that first one went in, you could see they were quite spirited and happy with us and hopefully they can be at our next home game because I think it’s a great place to be.”
Thunder coach Skenderovic was thrilled to get Colosimo into the ranks – especially to lead the defence and bring another level of professionalism to the new-look squad.
“That one was the ace of spades as we said and the joker we had up our sleeves as well,” Huss Skenderovic said. “It’s great to have someone of his experience and quality and leadership and all the qualities he has – to be part of our club.”
Dandenong Thunder will head up the highway to face Dandenong City in the first local-derby between the clubs on Saturday afternoon from 3pm.
