Dandenong Thunder will return to Lakeside Stadium this week to vie for the State Knockout Cup. 85995 Picture: JARROD POTTER
By JARROD POTTER
WITH the Victorian Premier League minor premiership claimed on Saturday night and the State Knockout Cup grand final on Sunday, it’s been a busy week for the Dandenong Thunder.
Dandenong secured top spot heading into the finals with a 0-0 draw against Oakleigh Cannons.
The blustery conditions made kicking against the windward end a difficult prospect, but Dandenong rallied and had a number of chances through Luke Sherbon whose strike hit the bottom right post approaching the half – probably Dandenong’s best chance to hit the scoresheet all night.
A couple more opportunities to the Thunder fell at the feet of Matt Theodore and Liam Kearney, but the wind and some immaculate defending from Oakleigh goalkeeper Lewis Italiano kept the scores nil-nil at the final whistle.
“I think everyone was pretty pleased with the whole thing, and for me it was a bit of a relief,” Dandenong coach Chris Taylor said about the draw and securing the minor premiership.
“To get it so early allows me to get the dynamics of the squad right with injuries, niggly knocks so we have two or three weeks to get ourselves right for the finals.
“I thought it was a very difficult game – which wind and blustery conditions.
“They had chances at the death and could’ve stolen the game but our defence’s performance again stood out – 20 games and we’ve had 10 clean sheets so that’s one hell of an achievement.”
Dandenong’s next match is the second biggest of the year – the State Knockout Cup final at Lakeside Stadium against Port Melbourne at 5pm.
“For us it’s just another challenge,” Taylor said.
“It’s a way we can establish ourselves as one of the better teams, we’re still in the hunt for everything.
“While that’s happening, the motivation is there to do well and achieve games.”
Despite facing a team from a lower division, Taylor isn’t taking Port Melbourne lightly, as its roster has more experience in the Premier league than the Thunder.
“In terms it’s a fairytale first division playing a Premier team, but they’re more experienced than us,” Taylor said.
“Nine or 10 of their players have played Premier and they’re all very experienced.
“If you look at port Melbourne in the top two flights over the last two years, they’ve won more games than anyone else and you have to respect them on the day as they’re a very, very good side.”
