Thunder ends a year to forget

By Gavin Staindl
PRE-GAME, the visiting changerooms at Jack Edwards Reserve were simply that – changerooms.
But after 90 minutes of soccer in which Dandenong closed its season out by forcing a 1-1 draw with Oakleigh, the rooms resembled something more of a cathedral – no-one saying a word, just reflecting.
Removing their uniforms one final time, the players reflected not so much on the game – though it was a game that could easily have been won – but on the season.
Unless you have come out from a two-month hibernation, you would know about the Football Federation Victoria impo-sed sanctions handed down to Dandenong Thunder mid way through the season.
Along with the highly documented fines and restrictions, the Victorian Premier League club was stripped of six premiership points.
It missed out on the finals by five points.
Player/coach Steven Gray commented a few days after Saturday’s match with finals-bound Oakleigh that the feeling in the rooms post-match was an anti-climax to everything they had built themselves up for over the course of the season.
“It was a really strange feeling,” Gray said.
“Actually, it was a bit of an anti-climax.
“For me and the lads we have a day job, we then come and train and on the weekends we go out and play.
“If we are not working, we are playing soccer.
“It’s a massive commitment and to miss out on finals the way we did was very unfair. We didn’t deserve that.”
After going a goal down mid way through the second half of Saturday’s match, Dandenong equal-ised through Luke Sherbon four minutes later.
But the Thunder was left to rue missed chances, including a one-on-one with the Oakleigh goalkeeper that would have given it the lead.
Despite missing many of the starting 11 that made up the all-conquering side of two months ago, Dandenong still managed to take it up to one of the Victoria Premier League’s best clubs on their own turf.
“To come out with a point and to know they are going to play finals and we’re not, is pretty disappointing,” Gray said.
“I spoke to the boys after the game and I was overwhelmed.
“It’s an experience I won’t forget. I learned a lot coaching at Dandenong and I have really enjoyed it.”
As for the prospects of Gray returning to George Andrews Reserve next year, only time will tell.
“I’ll have to see what offers are on the table,” Gray said.
“Dandenong haven’t given me an offer, but if they do, of course I’ll be ready to listen.”
Since Gray took over the helm at Thunder at the start of July, Dandenong won two games, lost three and drew one.