By Nick Creely
Saturday’s NPL2 East showdown between fierce rivals Dandenong City and Dandenong is about more than just a standard home-and-away-clash.
It’s the game both sides need to win, and a vital match in deciding the eventual fates of both clubs, especially with only three games left to play after.
A win for the Dandenong Thunder and they can almost pencil in promotion to the top-tier of NPL football.
A win for the Dandenong City ensures they continue to breathe down the neck of their rivals and place immense pressure on the Thunder.
But it’s also a local derby and they will battle it out for the ‘Memeti Cup’, a match dedicated to Dandenong’s soccer loving mayor.
Back in round one, Thunder annihilated City 4-1 in a one-sided affair to take out the ‘Memeti Cup’.
The stakes have literally never been higher for both clubs, and at 3pm on Saturday down at Frank Holohan Soccer Complex, the crowds will flock to see one of the most important fixtures in the region’s soccer-rich history.
There will be stars on every line to watch, but it’s much more than that – the team that can lift for the big moments and stay composed when the momentum goes against them will win.
Thunder striker Brandon Barnes, who currently sits at the top of the goal kicking leaderboard with 28 majors next to his name, understands the significance of the occasion, but refuses to be drawn into the hype surrounding the much-anticipated clash.
“We all know there’s a lot riding on this game, and we will go in confident – City are probably the one under pressure at the minute, and we need to make sure our mentality is right and we apply ourselves correctly,” he said.
“It’s just another game, but people might look at it as a final – we know what’s on the line but I’m just trying to put that in the back of my mind and try and play my game – some of the boys might see it differently, but all we want is to get the points and achieve what we set out to do at the start of the year.
“My main focus is to just win this league, but I know how much this game means to the Thunder with City being a rival club, and it’s always nice to win a cup on the side I guess and it’d be even nicer to get that seven-point gap.”
After last year’s heartache, Barnes is confident the club can turn the screws on the City and gain valuable momentum heading into the last few rounds.
“After last year, I don’t think anyone thinks we’ve won anything just yet – but all the boys are aware that if we win on the weekend, it’s just about the points – nothing’s been said around the club (about promotion) but we need to make sure we win not only this weekend but the last three games as well.
“We’ve made a few little changes to hopefully give ourselves an advantage attacking wise this weekend, and obviously they (City) have a good defensive record, so hopefully we have the strike power to get a few goals and kill the game off nice and early.”
Although the City possesses a weapon in attack by the name of Shaun Filipovic (18 goals), who has enjoyed a stellar season, the duo of Barnes and Veton Korcari (11 goals) continue to make life difficult for opposition defences.
Scarily enough, Barnes believes he has not been able to recapture his form of 2016, but fired a warning that his best is yet to come.
“I look back on this season so far, and I’m probably a bit harsh on myself, but I’m not really happy with how I’ve done – I’ve had a bit of a target that I’ve kept to myself this year and I’m a little bit off at the minute, but there’s still four games to go and I will get back on track and get back to where I should be this weekend,” he said.
“I feel like my form has not dropped, but I haven’t to where I’d like it to be – I’ve obviously had a baby recently so I’ve had a few things on my mind there.
“But I’m obviously the top goal scorer by about 10 goals even though I’m not in the best form which probably shows a lot, so I’m still doing what I can for the boys.”
Can the Thunder blow away the City once more and shatter their chances of finishing on top?
Or will the City defy the odds and dare to dream once again about promotion?
Who knows what’s going to happen, but its sure to be an absolute cracker.
