Adelaide Comets Football Club is pleased to announce that 2016 Sergio Melta Medal winner Allan Welsh has re-signed for the 2017 PlayStation 4 National Premier League SA season.
Welsh, who is returning to Comets for the second consecutive year, polled 20 votes throughout the 2016 season to tie for the prestigious award with Adelaide Blue Eagles’ Yvan Boyokino.
The centre back was vehemently surprised by the award, stating that at first he actually thought it was a joke.
“I was definitely surprised. When I got told, I thought it was a stitch up. I had no idea what was going on, it still doesn’t feel right. Sometimes you think you are going to do well and you don’t and other times you do.”
Welsh puts the surprise down to what he felt was a tough season for him on the pitch.
“Coming back from the A-League it wasn’t easy to step in to the NPL. Mentally and motivation wise it is tough to get your head right and get back.
“I didn’t have the fitness level last year I wanted to and confidence wise it helps when you are as fit as you can be. I will be putting in more work this year to make sure that I am though.”
Welsh acknowledges a variety of achievements from the side in 2016, including making the Top 6 and competing in the Westfield FFA Cup South Australian Preliminary Final, both of which he wants to push further with in 2017.
“Our squad changed completely half way through the year with players coming in and out. This year we have kept those who stayed focused and it will be better as we keep strengthening the smaller squad that we have.
“We want to make the Top 6 again of course, but go even further to win it, if not the Top 2. Going well in the Cup again is important, the Club wants that, being on the National stage.”
As for personal goals, Welsh jokes that he wouldn’t mind another Sergio Melta Medal.
“For me it is just doing as well as I can, improve on last year; be fitter, stronger. It would be nice to be a back to back Sergio Melta winner.
“Pushing myself to get back in to the A-League would be nice, but it is not the end of the world. If it happens though, it would be great.”
Want to catch Allan in action this pre-season? Head to our first trial game on Sunday 11 December against White City at Elite Systems Football Centre, 3:00pm.