IT was one of the most significant match-ups in the second half of the 132-game Victorian Premier League season – the reigning champions versus the top contenders.
It’s a game that would provide an early form guide ahead of the finals.
Green Gully Cavaliers, last year’s premiership team, confronted ladder leader and now minor premier Dandenong Thunder in the penultimate round meeting at Green Gully Reserve.
But it was not a pretty sight for the Cavs, routed 3-0 on their home deck and likely to start the finals in the bottom half of the top six, barring any changes in this weekend’s final round.
The Thunder sent a message to the rest of the competition that they’re a force to be reckoned with.
They got under the skin of the home side from the word go and the Cavs’ frustrations boiled over in a red card incident to Andy Vargas.
It was not an afternoon to remember for the Vargas brothers after Rodrigo was credited with the Thunder’s first goal, an own goal.
The Cavs did not cope well going a man and a goal down, but held the visitors off until the last 20 minutes before Thunder striker Nate Foster scored twice to put the game out of reach.
They will get one last tune-up on Sunday against Northcote City on the road before they take aim at a third straight title.
SCOREBOARD
VPL: Richmond 2 Melbourne Knights 0; Green Gully Cavaliers 0 Dandenong Thunder 3
SL1: St Albans Saints 0 FC Bulleen Lions 0; Whittlesea Ranges 2 Sunshine George Cross 1 (mid-week); North Geelong 1 Sunshine George Cross 2
SL2: Banyule City 0 Keilor Park 1
SL3: Whittlesea United 0 Cairnlea 1
PL1: Maribyrnong Greens 2 Surf Coast 1
PL3: Fawkner 3 Brimbank Stallions 3; Balmoral 3 Bundoora United 4
