Above: Dandenong Thunder striker Liam Kearny (17) watches teammate Luke Sherbon (20) dance with his opponents. Sherbon was at his dazzling best on Saturday, but was cruelly denied a goal by the crossbar. Right: Kearny always looked like breaking the game open whenever he had possession, but could not find a way past the South Melbourne defence. 68309 Pictures: Jarrod Potter
By Gavin Staindl
APART from the “ole, ole, ole, ole, ole” chants from the visiting South Melbourne supporters, the only thing filling George Andrews Reserve at the completion of Dandenong Thunder’s 1-0 loss was an overriding sense of helplessness.
The defining loss, which removes the Victorian Premier League team from finals contention, reflected a season of courage but ultimately one marred by mishaps beyond the control of players, coaches or administrators.
As the players trudged from the ground after 90 minutes, hands on heads and holding back emotion, the crowd at GAR stood and clapped – an unlikely response to a team which has just been shut out.
But for the many fans who stuck around after the final whistle, it was their time to praise the Thunder players for not only fighting out Saturday’s match, but valiantly seeing out a season that went against them in so many ways.
There was no confusion as to what was on the cards heading into Saturday’s blockbuster – to remain in the finals race, Dandenong had to win.
Within half an hour, it had conceded the game’s first goal, but refused to accept its season would finish there.
Momentum shifted, and a string of Thunder chances culminated in a shot from Luke Sherbon that rebounded off the crossbar.
After half-time, Dandenong played like a team with something to prove.
Player coach Steven Gray moved himself into the midfield and commanded the middle of the park while striker Liam Kearny worked into space and always looked on the cusp of doing something spectacular when he had possession.
The defenders worked up and back, eager to assist with a score but conscious of the consequences of a South Melbourne goal.
But as time wore on, frustration set in.
Playing on an injured knee, Sherbon refused to toss in the towel and landed a legal hip-and-shoulder on a South Melbourne defender that even the most ardent AFL fan would have been proud of.
Despite snatching possession after the hit and securing a corner, Dandenong couldn’t find the back of the net.
With each missed cross, ill-directed header and blocked shot, the realisation that Dandenong would fall short became evident.
Last year Dandenong missed out on the finals by three points after being docked six points by Football Federation Victoria, and this year the six-point penalty handed down by the FFV, along with player and coaching departures, once again cost Dandenong a finals place.
The same team, who at one stage in the season led the VPL by two games and was touted as a runaway favourite for the premiership, will again sit and ponder what could have been.“There’s a big part of me which is quite satisfied, but there’s a massive part of me which is bitterly disappointed,” Gray said. “It’s heart-breaking that we’ve fallen just short. They (the players) have given me everything. After what we’ve been through the group of lads have stuck together and battled on … I’m really proud of them.”
