Brimbank Stallions wasted no time familiarising themselves with their new surroundings in a new division.
The newly-promoted Stallions won in emphatic style 6-0 over Melbourne City in their first ever game in the Football Federation Victoria men’s state league 3 at the Club Italia Sporting Club on Saturday.
Stallions’ president Sam Raniolo was ecstatic with a performance that capped off a historic day for the club.
“It just clicked,” he said. “The movement of the ball, they were running for each other, and we didn’t concede a goal – everything just went our way.
“It seemed like the boys were really switched on before the game.”
Brimbank sent a loud and clear message that it wasn’t promoted to just make the numbers.
The Stallions fired three goals in the first half, but were certainly not finished. They produced a carbon copy in the second half to run out six-goal victors.
More importantly, the Stallions proved they can mix it at the level.
“I think the boys are confident, and I don’t think they want to just survive this year,” Raniolo said. “At three-nil, we could’ve just sat back, but the boys kept going, the hunger was there.
“We’ve got a fairly large squad and they know if they don’t perform for 90 minutes, they get dropped or someone takes their spot, and it might be hard to get back in.”
Brimbank strengthened its squad in the lead-up to the season opener with a late double swoop for former Western Eagles pair Kacper Hubiak and Robert Chelchowski.
The duo accounted for half the Stallions’ goals, with Hubiak scoring a double and Chelchowski also bulging the back of the net.
Hubiak’s performance was a head turner.
“He’s a big strong lad and a real down-to-earth player,” Raniolo said.
“Even after he scored, he went back and helped out the defence, so he had a great all-round game.”
Mariano Benet also scored a double for Brimbank, continuing his impressive pre-season form.
“He’s found his niche in the team and he’s performing well,” Raniolo said.
“He just floats in between the strikers and the midfielders.”
Paul Muscat was outstanding at the back in his first game as Brimbank captain.
Muscat provided direction to a watertight back four that ensured goalkeeper Alex Carias had to do minimal work.
“He led by example, back there,” Raniolo said.
Brimbank will hit the road on Saturday for a clash with first-round losers Melbourne University.
