Full backs Matthew Kemp and Evan Berger have both been included in Melbourne’s squad for Tuesday’s match against Wellington Phoenix at Etihad Stadium.
Full backs Matthew Kemp and Evan Berger have both been included in Melbourne’s squad for Tuesday’s match against Wellington Phoenix at Etihad Stadium.
Kemp has missed the past two matches with a hamstring injury while Berger has been sidelined with a more serious version of the same injury since late November.
But with the business end of the season approaching and Melbourne in a fight with Sydney and Gold Coast for the Premier’s Plate, the full backs are ready to resume their seasons.
Kemp and Berger both played major roles in Melbourne charge to the championship last season and coach Ernie Merrick is looking to his experienced players to stand up again at this time of the year.
“We-ve got ‘Kempy’ and Evan Berger who will come into the squad,” Merrick said. “Apart from Billy Celeski and Surat Sukha, we’ve pretty much got everyone available.”
“It will be youngsters who will probably drop out – I haven-t decided which youngsters, but I’ve always favoured experienced players when you get to the business end of the season.”
For Berger it represents an opportunity to finally get some momentum into his season after struggling with quad and groin injuries earlier in the campaign.
“I’m feeling physically really right after doing all the rehab and I’m right to be back on the park,” Berger said. “I’ve had a bit of an interrupted season with a few injuries, so I’ve taken my time to get it right this time.”
“The squad’s doing very well and we pride ourselves on our depth and it-s going to be hard to get back in, but whatever opportunity I can get in the next couple of games I’m going to take with both hands.”
Tom Pondeljak indicated after Saturday night’s win over Adelaide that there is a strong correlation to where Melbourne was at last season with the way things are progressing this year.
That’s something Berger has also noticed from the sidelines.
“It’s always nice when our form’s this good coming into the finals,” he said. “Hopefully we can keep that going.”
“The camp’s very excited with where we are at and obviously winning helps.”
“We’re trying to focus on what we are doing and work towards the finals.”
While Berger and Kemp are expected to start on the bench, Merrick indicated that Marvin Angulo is likely to get a starting spot.
Meanwhile, the match will be used to assist World Vision’s appeal to raise money for the victims of the Haitian earthquake via donations from fans.
Melbourne Victory CEO Geoff Miles said football fans have an opportunity to show their generosity on Australia Day.
“We’re thrilled to support World Vision in their Haiti earthquake appeal,” said Miles.
“The players from both teams will wear black armbands, there will be a minute’s silence for the devastating loss that the country of Haiti has endured.”
“On a day where we all acknowledge and celebrate how lucky we are to be Australian, I think it-s a great cause and we expect fantastic support from our fans.”
