Giorgio Speranza buzzing to be back at Ilinden

Giorgio Speranza has flourished since making an offseason move to Rockdale Illinden.

The defender has made the left-back role his own, and received rewards for his sensational recent form, picking up the NPL Men’s NSW Defender of the Month for May.

Speranza joined Rockdale over the break along with brother Roberto Speranza in an exciting double addition for the club.

“It has been a very easy transition for me,” said G. Speranza on the move to his new team.

“The lifestyle change with living in Sans Souci and playing football close to home has meant that my family and I can spend much more time together, that means the world to me.

“In addition, I actually played at Rockdale Ilinden in my first few years of 1st grade football so I am familiar with many faces at the club, and as a matter of fact, Uro (Alec Urosevski) was in that team all those years ago!

“The whole team, including the coaching staff, players, board members and fans have been really welcoming to all of us new players and have made us feel at home.”

Speranza picked up the Defender of the Month award off the back of a fantastic May, which saw him excel up and down the touchline at left-back and help his side register a strong record of three wins and one loss in the league and two victories in the Australia Cup Preliminary rounds.

Speaking on what the award meant to him, Speranza replied “It means a lot to me!

“Firstly, moving to the club, I wanted to prove myself, and show my teammates and coaches what I can do and what I am about.

“Secondly, I believe these awards are great in inspiring all competition players to be at their best, to achieve positive results like this.

“It demonstrates to me that what I am doing is working, and motivates me to be even better.”

Speranza believes that the key to his strong form is Rockdale’s attacking, active style of football, which allows him to be consistently involved in both halves.

“I believe the attractive style of possession based football we play allows me to be involved in lots of actions, both defensively and in the attacking half,” he said.

“Credit to Paul Dee who continues to encourage us to play our style of football and never steer away from our principles.

“I have to also credit the boys for making my job easy in defence, and rewarding my runs in attack.”

Something that could further improve Speranza’s form – if that’s possible – is the addition of his brother Roberto to the side, who has been working his way back from an injury.

Giorgio is excited that his brother is close to making a full return, both because of the quality he brings as well as their companionship.

“Robbie has been working like an animal in the off season, I expected nothing less of him to be honest,” said Giorgio.

“It would mean everything to play with him again as we have developed such a strong bond throughout the years, people know now that we are a combo deal – you don’t go to Frango’s and just buy a burger right?!

“Besides much banter, we push each other both physically and mentally to be at our best week in week out.

“The boys are also buzzing to have him back as they know the value that he adds to the squad.”

Giorgio’s good form and Roberto’s return – as well as the immense quality oozing throughout the rest of Rockdale’s team – have put the side right in the challenge for top spot on the ladder.

This goal of Rockdale’s has been aided by two losses in a row to current league leaders the Western Sydney Wanderers, which has put Giorgio’s side just a point off the summit of the table.

I’ll be honest, we’re enjoying the pressures that are faced with the Minor Premiership,” he said.

“We knew from the first day of pre season that we had a squad that would contend the title race so we have always had full belief going into each and every game.

“I think pressure is a good thing because it keeps us all on our toes, and brings an extremely high level of competition at training and games, which is only going to benefit us moving forward.”

While Giorgio is at the top of his game, he believes he can add goals to supplement his already immense attacking threat, which will further help Rockdale with the heft but achievable goals they’ve set for the 2024 campaign.

“On an individual basis, I would like to continue playing at the top of my game and score some more goals this season,” he said.

“As a collective, we’re aiming to reach first place by the mid-point of the season and maintain the position right through till the end of the normal season.

“Additionally, we would like to reach the Round of 32 in the Australia Cup, which we’re on track to achieve.

“Consistency is key for us now and we are very excited to see what happens next!”

-By Jack George