Green Gully has a weary and relatively thin squad, but remains in the hunt for all three trophies.
The Cavaliers’ desire to achieve the competition remains strong, even if the physical toll is starting to show on players.
They remain on track to reach the NPL finals, have secured a spot in the Dockerty Cup final, and will sink their teeth into the FFA Cup round of 32 this Tuesday.
“We’re seeing how far we can go in everything,” Cavs’ coach Arthur Papas told Star Weekly.
“That’s the mentality of the group – everything that’s available, you do your best.
“We’re not doing it with a large squad, and it’s very difficult at the moment to be playing on all three fronts and trying to keep everyone in a good space physically, as well.”
Green Gully was provided some relief by the FFV, which agreed to postpone the Dockerty Cup final until August 17.
The Cavaliers will face a formidable Bentleigh Greens in the decider after rolling Hume City 2-0 in the semi final at Murphy Reserve in Port Melbourne on Tuesday night.
The Cavs have a rich history in the competition, winning the title five times.
Papas is eager to make this year the sixth, and win the cup for the first time since 2013.
“History shows the club has been very successful, but the recent past … not as much,” he said.
“We really need to get this club back to winning trophies, and we’re hoping to start it with the Dockerty Cup.
“We know it’s going to be a very difficult game against Bentleigh.
“The mentality of our boys is we think we can take it to any team on any given day.”
Green Gully produced its most complete performance of the season in the semi final against Hume City.
Jay Davies and Liam Boland scored to help the Cavaliers book a berth in the finals.
“An all-round performance, very good going forward,” Papas said.
“The concentration defensively was sound and there wasn’t a poor player on the park.”
The excitement around Green Gully is growing by the week, as the Cavaliers count down the days until their blockbuster FFA Cup clash against A-League opponent Central Coast at Green Gully Reserve on Tuesday night.
It will not only bring a professional club to Keilor Downs, but also the Fox Sports cameras.
The game will be broadcast live around the nation.
The Cavaliers may not have as much talent or have the ability to train full-time as do their visitors from New South Wales, but they have the team cohesion and belief to pull off an upset.
“We don’t get to work on it six days a week, twice a day, and that’s what Central Coast Mariners are able to do,” Papas said.
“But we’re heading towards the pointy end of the season, so the boys know each other extremely well, they understand the structures and the patterns of play that we work on.
“We’ve really got nothing to lose in a game like this.
“They’ve got to come and beat us on our home turf … and they’re expected to, but we still have enough belief to be able to get a result.”
For more pictures of Saturday’s game between Green Gully, CLICK HERE
