Melville Dreadnoughts are set to sail for the 2026 season, contesting the Waikato C Division after last year lifting the Deacon Shield as D Division champions.

In a club-wide year of resurgence, the Dreadnoughts did their bit as they emerged from the remains of Melville's more rag-tag 2024 D team to grow into a focused, dedicated unit in 2025.

Led by player-manager James Macindoe, the Dreadnoughts finished the first round in second place, trailing Tokoroa by four points. But in the important second round they reversed the order and finished four points clear of Tokoroa as champions.

SHIELD FEVER: Dreadnoughts player-manager James Macindoe and skipper Matt Wheatley with the Deacon Shield. PHOTOS: Jess Wholey.

Macindoe attributed the team's success to a change in attitude in the second half of the season.

"The week before we played Tokoroa they dropped points which gave us an opening," Macindoe said. "In our final three games we played our best football, and that included beating Tokoroa 4-0 after having lost 2-1 to them first time around."

Title celebrations at Gower Park

And the Dreadnoughts squad is looking good for 2026. 

"From last season we have retained 11 players full-time and some others for part of the season, though we will be looking for a full-time goalkeeper this season."

The Dreadnoughts team name has no specific symbolism, apart from the fact squad members wanted to retain the heritage of the "D team" link from earlier campaigns and players thought it "sounded cool".

The dreadnought was the predominant type of battleship in the early 20th century, renowned for its number of heavy-calibre guns, and steam turbine propulsion, and it ruled the seas. But in terms of broader English language etymology, "dreadnought" is also a reference to someone who "dreads naught" (nothing), a meaning that predates the battleship.

From the Class of 2025, Fijian signing Monish Goundar was named player of the year. Macindoe described Goundar as shy and quiet, "but someone who really makes himself known on the pitch" as a solid, pacy and hard-tackling defender.

"When there was a problem he always one of the first on the scene and one of the reasons we only conceded 12 goals in the league".

Most improved player was Luke Muspratt, a pacy back who operated down the right flank, often interchanging with Richie Smith.

"Preseason I wasn't 100 per cent he would be a starter, but by the end he was someone you couldn't drop and he finished the season tied for most assists and most shots. Other teams couldn't handle him."

Squad member of the year was Michael Michalakis, one of the team's characters, who had the dubious distinction of having been sent off against Hauraki Plains for barking at an opposing player.

"He is very loud and his humour doesn't suit everyone, and he gets a lot of stick but takes it all on board.

"On the pitch he is always a 100-percenter, so it's always good to have him around, even if he is only running for 10 minutes and then subbing off."

The Dreadnoughts 4-0 win against Tokoroa at Strathmore Park was pivotal

Another key player for the Dreadnoughts was Greg Holt, who is normally a winger, but due to injury issues at the beginning of the season took the gloves and played goalkeeper for the majority of games.

But Holt also showed his class when he returned to outfield duties, scoring 11 goals and supplying four assists despite only making seven outfield appearances across the 20-game season.

Nathan Presland was top goalscorer with 15. Presland had originally planned to play for the disbanded Mighty A team, and proved a real asset as one of the better technical players, with great finishing ability. He filled a team void from previous seasons, with his link-up play also integral to goalscoring efforts.

And skipper Matt Wheatley showed he had a nose for doing the right thing in playing outfield after multiple seasons in goal for the Mighty As.

Wheatley, nephew of life member and bar manager Big Phil Wheatley, was a stalwart at centreback early on with most teams pointing him out as being difficult to get past due to his lanky legs.

But Wheatley’s ability to put in a challenge and win all his aerial duels was another key part of the Dreadnoughts’ defence. He moved into midfield when fellow centreback Tony Schischka recovered from injury and established an important presence running the middle of the park. 

Dreadnoughts in action against Tokoroa

“Outside of that Matt always helped out when I needed to bounce ideas off someone and also important in helping the lads in training,” Macindoe said. “Of course being a Wheatley he spends a lot of time at the club and embodies everything Melville represents.”

Meanwhile Macindoe concentrated more on team management, and was happy to play anywhere. Though mainly prominent in midfield, he dropped into left back later in the season.

Article added: Monday 26 January 2026