Melbourne celebrate after beating Sydney 5- 0 in the A-League Football match between Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC, Olympic Park, Melbourne Sunday, Oct. 16, 2005. AAP Image/Andrew Brownbill
Last night’s Victorian Bushfire Appeal match between Melbourne Victory and the Victorian Premier League select was a chance for football in the state to show its support for those affected by the tragedy. As it turned out, it was also a chance for the VPL’s elite to put themselves in the A-League shop window.
If the players hadn’t known it already, it was made abundantly clear prior to the match.
Melbourne coach Ernie Merrick said that, with a few spots still open in the Victory squad, an impressive performance could thrust their name into the reckoning.
He even handed the coaching reins to number two Aaron Healey so he could scrutinise the VPL players closely.
Of course, plumbing the depths of the country’s state leagues has proven to be a fruitful pursuit.
The fact that Australian-born players can be signed for just $3000 helps. And while some players inevitably fail to make the step up to A-League, there are plenty of success stories.
Former Green Gully star Rody Vargas has been a lynchpin of the Victory defence since the league’s inception. Sasa Ognenovski became integral at Adelaide United after moving from Preston Lions.
And who could forget Shannon Cole’s mercurial rise from Sydney Olympic to the fringes of the Socceroo squad?
The end result last night was predictable: a 2-0 win for the Victory, with goals from Ney Fabiano and Nathan Elasi (although the latter could have also been deemed an own goal).
VPL coach Chris Taylor spoke upon release of his squad that he had settled for players in form. But his side struggled to show much of that during the game, though not for lack of trying.
Of course, it was always going to be tough. Up against a squad that train together daily, the VPL side undoubtedly had had little time together.
But there was a bit for the Victory hierarchy to ponder, as Aaron Healey admitted after the game: “There were several (that impressed). I think it’s been shown over the last couple of years that the VPL has been a great source of talented players for the A-League,” he said.
“There was probably a spread of guys across the park … when they came on in the second half, a couple of guys impressed.”
He could have been referring to 19-year-old Melbourne Knights midfielder Dugandzic, a 58th-minute entry for the VPL side.
Dugandzic returned from a spell in Croatian football in 2008, and is highly rated by many.
Introduced to the left-hand side of midfield, the slight, softly-spoken Dugandzic did show some classy touches that had been otherwise missing from the game. His turning of Vargas soon after arriving was particularly promising.
There were others to show promise. Graham Hockless displayed glimpses of why he was judged the VPL’s premier player in 2008 and Frank Lagana endeavoured to add creativity.
When the VPL did go forward, the lion’s share of the VPL’s scoring chances fell to lively African striker Osagie Edararo – a name which will be familiar to football fans further north after a productive spell with Wollongong and a brief trial at Sydney FC under Branko Culina.
The VPL squad could have claimed to have been more well-travelled than their Victory opponents.
Dugandzic’s spell in Croatia, left back Erhan Karahan spent time in Turkey, Netherlands outfit Willem II was once home for keeper Peter Zois and Lagana was on the books of Empoli.
Captain Hockless plugged away in the lower leagues of his native England before coming to Australia.
They’ll be hoping the next part of their footballing journey includes a stop in the A-League.
MVDave
Roar Rookie
Mate and l went to the game. TBH couldn't see anyone from the VPL getting picked up from just that game. No real standouts and apart from some defensive gifts/mistakes by MV early in the game VPL created little. Nevertheless it was a worthwhile exercise and l would like it to become an annual fixture on the football calender although perhaps at a more user friendly time.
Coach
Guest
Will be interesting to see if someone actually does get picked up solely from this game. Could be a good story to come out of a game that was supporting a good cause!
whiskeymac
Guest
with increasing squads a necessity because HAL teams are playing more and more matches you'd hope that some fo these guys were worth a punt.
Paddy Higgs
Guest
Despite playing out wide, I'd have thought he was more a striker than a winger. But he's got terrific pace, good touch and a dash of the unpredictable (although he did squander a few scoring chances). Would definitely be worth a punt if he held Oz citizenship.
Pippinu
Roar Guru
Is he more a winger than a striker? That too might be handy whenever Ernie wants to pull out three big guns up front (especially if he is comfortable on either side). Given that both Kemp and Berger are more wing-backs, a true winger in the squad who can play either side wouldn't go astray either. We're currently using up a full quota of imports (but a question mark hangs over all of them, in not immediately, certainly beyond 12 months).
Paddy Higgs
Guest
Fair point Pip - he spent most of the night wide left and angling in before switching to the right with the introduction of Dugandzic. The latter looked good too. There's not much to him, but he's very good on the ball and is always looking to be creative. He looks like he could easily play central too, and we all know that versatility is a trait Ernie values.
Pippinu
Roar Guru
With our three main strikers all around 30, and Elasi the only one waiting in the wings, might be good to recruit another one who can hang around for another 5 or 6 seasons.
Paddy Higgs
Guest
Cheers whiskey - I think Edararo was in the running for a spot until Michael Bridges became available. He's been in Australia for a few years, but I'm unsure if he'd take up an import spot or has Oz nationality. He leads the VPL scoring charts with nine goals from as many games so far.
mahony
Guest
Enjoyed the night - I thought we were very poor to be frank - but there were one or two bright ligts. Loved the look of the young African player for the State Team - but we do need to get defenders. I got an awful shock when I first saw one of the State Team officials in dark blue tracksuit - I though he was a very fat Carlos returning from his mum's kitchen. Was relieved that this truth has been delayed a little.
whiskeymac
Guest
Mr Higgs is a keen and passionate follower of all aspects of the game. Ederaro - any ideas why he didnt make it at SFC. was it ability, squad sizes or his fate being linked to Branko's?
BIGfootBALLS
Guest
“There was probably a spread of guys across the park … when they came on in the second half, a couple of guys impressed.” There's something erotic about the way he speaks of the game, no?
Pippinu
Roar Guru
I'd say another central defender is an absolute must (maybe even two). I think that's the biggest gap - they certainly don't need another keeper! (with Theo, Moss and Langerak - that's three decent keepers!) I like the sound of Ederaro - would he be deemed a foreign player (or does he have Australian citizenship?)
whiskeymac
Guest
Firstly, good to see football still contributing to the bushfire victims. For me this weeks first "good news story" in sport. Secondly, i assume the "Melbourne Heart" were also in attendance. Good to see lower leagues getting some exposure. Not knowig the MV squad too well what positions were they looking to fill, i assume they have enough strikers. Are they looking to replace Ryall and Thwaite or was it just a general fishing expedition for potential players? Hopefully there are more of these sort of games organised by the powers.