South Melbourne’s 7-1 trouncing of Casey Comets was an impressive feat on paper, but their performance on the pitch told an entirely different story.
The slick interchange in midfield and movement from all avenues off the ball saw the reigning Women’s Premier League champions meticulously take apart a Casey outfit who, to their credit, weren’t that poor on the night.
Little wonder head coach Socrates Nicolaidis passionately labeled their performance a dream, while stating he could retire happy having witnessed a game of that quality.
“The movement off the ball, the information that the girls have taken on in the last six weeks [was on show],” Nicolaidis said.
“I was so happy with the combination play in the middle third, the movement off the ball, the runs from the midfield into dangerous areas, it was just amazing to watch.
“It’s a level of football that I think we all have to get to. It’s important for the women’s game.
“Like I told the girls, if I were to never coach another game, I’d go happy knowing that was my last.”
Looking at his personal philosophy, it was equally pleasing for the down to earth new coach to see his team not only perform in such a fashion, but knowing it was down to their hard work throughout the week.
“It’s every coaches dream. Every coach has a philosophy – we all have the same one – but it’s doing the work on the training pitch, really engaging the girls and asking them to take their game to the next level,” he said.
“We all have so much potential and I think the girls now are taking it.”
With concerns over the fitness of first-choice keeper Karlie LeClair – who was confirmed to have missed the Casey match with a throat illness – Nicolaidis was full of praise for stand-in Lauren Farrugia who played out of her skin in the unfamiliar position.
“Karlie has strep throat, it’s an American terminology, she has something wrong with her throat. I got a call from the nurse at Melbourne University who said it’s best she doesn’t play.
“We put in Lauren Farrugia who was a centre back last year, she made the commitment to play there. As you can see, her ball distribution from the back was another level.”
South Melbourne take on another undefeated side in Sandringham SC on Monday night. Their third away game in a row sees them travel to Kingston Heath for an 8.30pm kick-off.