By ROY WARD
DANDENONG Thunder could welcome back veteran defender Craig Elvin for the Victorian Premier League grand final rematch against Oakleigh Cannons at Jack Edwards Reserve this Friday night.
Elvin has missed the start of the season with work commitments and the good form of some younger Thunder defenders but Thunder coach Chris Taylor is poised to bring the central defender back into the team to face the Cannons, who drew 1-1 with second-placed Bentleigh Greens last round.
After starting the season on -3 points as part of the penalties from crowd behavior problems at last season’s grand final, the Thunder have now moved into the top five and have as many victories as the Greens and third-placed South Melbourne.
The Thunder scored a 4-0 win over Hume City in front of an empty ground at George Andrews Reserve on Saturday with English striker Luke Hopper scoring two goals while Steven Topalovic and Nate Foster also found the back of the net.
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Championship captain Shane Rexhepi also made his first appearance of the season in the second half against Hume City and could also push for a starting berth.
Taylor said Elvin was a key player who was slow starting preseason but was showing good touch at training and in recent practice matches.
“Craig is ready to play and we could have started him already but we had to respect the young boys who have been doing well for us,” Taylor said.
“He had a few business commitments in the off-season which slowed him down and he was toying with retirement as well but I wouldn’t take no for an answer.
“He is crucial to us, a very good leader and role model so to have a player with his experience in with our younger players is vital.”
Taylor was determined to expand his squad in the off-season after having “a lucky run” with injuries last season and that expansion led to him being able to name Rexhepi, Liam Kearney and Matt Theodore on the bench against Hume City due to the form of other players.
The Thunder have also reached impressive form in the past few matches, something Taylor believes stems from the shock of losing to Bentleigh earlier in the season.
“The Bentleigh game was the reality check we had to have, we have gone from strength to strength since then,” Taylor said.
“We have played some really good football in the past few matches with wins over South Melbourne and Hume City but because we are playing behind closed doors it doesn’t get reported too much. We know that once we get our crowds back that our supporters will be right behind us.”
The Thunder will have to host one more home game behind closed doors but will play in front of a crowd against the Cannons with the match being played at Jack Edwards Reserve, Oakleigh.
Oakleigh Cannons host Dandenong Thunder at Jack Edwards Reserve this Friday night at 8.30pm.
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