While South Melbourne may have won the Dockerty Cup on the back of their scintillating second half performance against Oakleigh Cannons, coach Chris Taylor has surprisingly pointed out his sides vibrant start as the key to their success.
After labouring for over two hours in their heartbreaking FFA Cup exit to Palm Beach Sharks last Wednesday, Taylor targeted a competitive start to help rid any lingering psychological doubts from the mid-week fixture.
“Probably even before the game, the big thing was for us to come out and actually compete in the first 20 minutes,” Taylor said after their 3-0 Dockerty Cup win.
“Psychologically I think Wednesday was a tough [match] for us, but I think it showed the character of the boys. When we went in at 0-0 at half-time with everything to play for, the minute we got the goal, I think we went on with it. We moved the ball around well and played some of the best football we’ve played all year.”
“I kind of felt we were flat before the game, but the main thing was that we focused on the positive things. We played well on Wednesday night, we moved the ball around well and [created] a lot of chances.
“We made a mistake at the back, and we spoke about [that], not making mistakes and taking your opportunities when they come around. That’s what I thought we did tonight and it was impressive.”
Despite the ease in which they claimed the contest in the second 45 minutes, it was a cagey and tense first half that saw the game on a knife-edge.
The Cannon’s boasted the best chance of the half, but Lambros Honos couldn’t beat South stopper Nikola Roganovic in a one-on-one contest, a moment that Taylor believes was the “turning point of the game”
“You don’t know what to expect, and I’m sure had Oakleigh scored a goal and gone in front, then it’s a completely different game,” he said.
“You’ve got to respect your opposition and they made it very hard when we played them at their ground. They had a good game plan and it worked well for them.
“Today we got the goal at the right time and that changes the whole [landscape of the contest]. Moments win games and that’s what happened tonight.
“When you reflect on [that save], it was probably the turning point of the game. Nikola [Roganovic] has been very good for us this year and that really turned the game. Had we gone a goal behind, then they could’ve sat in and counter attacked like they’ve done in the past.”
Taylor was also pragmatic in his approach when discussing the idea of FFA Cup glory versus triumph in the Dockerty Cup pointing towards the fact that it’s the silverware that’s remembered in the future.
“At the end of the day, there was a trophy at stake today and trophies at the end of the season are what count,” the head coach said.
“It would’ve been nice to progress in the FFA Cup, get another draw in the next round – but that’s what football’s about. We can’t dwell on the past, it’s happened, we move on and get bigger and stronger from it.”
They now focus their full attention to the league, with top spot come the end of the season still a distinct possibility, should they win their remaining fixtures.
“We certainly think we can [win the title]. We have four games left, Bentleigh has three. We win all our games and if they drop points, then [the title is ours], that’s the way we look at it.
“Whether it happens or not is another thing, but we’re going out to win all four games and put pressure on Bentleigh.”
Photo: Matt Johnson (Full gallery available here)