Tara Murray
A youthful Green Gully side is keen on backing up last year’s strong National Premier League season, with success this year.
The Cavaliers made the finals in all three competitions last year, which coach Stephen Downes describes as a positive season.
Now with an even younger playing group, Downes is hoping to turn those finals appearances into something more.
“We’re looking forward to it,” he said. “We’ve worked well in the off season and hopefully we get off to a great start.
“There’s a lot of new boys in the group and we’re integrating them into the season and how we want to play.
“Last season was positive, not successful. Winning something is successful, hopefully we do that this year.”
Downes said about 60 per cent of the squad was different from last season.
He said while they were keen to add some more players to the squad, there had been the natural attrition of local players not wanting to play at such a high level anymore.
Pierce Waring has joined the Cavaliers from the Bentleigh Greens and is expected to be a key player, as is Adolph Koudakpo, who has also joined the club.
Thierry Iradukunda, Taylor Schrijvers, Reef Murfet, Tyler Vecchio, Ismail Haji and Alan Gerez are among other new signings in the group.
Downes said he was keen to see the development from the players who have returned from last year’s squad.
“It’s not just the new signings, but all the kids have worked hard. We’re expecting them to be better than last year,” he said.
“We have a very young side and the average age is just under 23. It has its challenges, but it’s exciting as well as their young individuals who want to learn.”
Downes doesn’t shy away from setting high expectations this season. He wants to see silverware back at Green Gully.
“It’s been 11 or 12 years since we won the competition, it’s time we won it again.”
The Cavaliers were set to start their season on Friday night, after deadline.
The tests don’t get any bigger, facing last season’s champions, Oakleigh Cannons.
“Round one it is exciting playing against the champions,” Downes said before the game. “There’s nothing better than that.
“They have improved in the off season and have a strong attacking line up. We’re looking forward to it and hopefully a positive result.”
In other matches that were scheduled in round one, St Albans was due to host the Melbourne Knights on Sunday.
