Tara Murray
It’s been a positive start for Green Gully, but there’s still lots of work to do in the National Premier League.
The Cavaliers have won three of their first five matches and taken away points in four games, as they look to improve on a disappointing 2021.
Player Luc Jeggo said they were happy with how things had started.
“I think it has been a really good start for us to be up near the top of the table,” he said. “I think most importantly the performances have been good and getting better.
“A lot of the things that we have spoken about in pre-season, we wanted to work on, we have improved especially from last year. As far as I’m concerned it has been a positive start.”
The Cavaliers won just five of 18 games last season and were sitting 10th when the season ended. It was Jeggo’s first season back at the club having previously played for the side in 2015.
Jeggo said there were still plenty of positives to take out of the season.
“I think last year there were a lot of times, we put together a really strong performance for 60-70 minutes.
“In key moments, we often lacked control in games and when to attack more and when to see games out and get results.
“So that was a big part for us for both player.
“A big part was there last year, there was a lot of good stuff. It’s about getting that balance and not throwing everything out the window.”
Still reasonably new at the club, Jeggo said building culture off field was really important especially with so many new players having joined the club.
Extra depth was another key thing they had looked to address.
“It’s been really good in terms of culture first off,” he said. “That is something really important for us.
“I think there’s a large focus on making sure there is a good culture in the team, with both the standards we have as a club and also the characters and making sure that everyone gets on well.
“All the guys who have come in have been brilliant for that, it’s gone to another level from last year in the team atmosphere.
“I think that has been really good… We’ve added a lot of depth. There’s really tough decisions for the gaffer [Stephen] Downes to make.
“I don’t envy him at times. We’ve got a solid starting 11 and players on the bench who really keep the level the same when they come on, it’s really important for us this year.”
Jeggo said his game personally had been OK as he still finds his way in the new line up.
He said he felt a lot more comfortable this year than he did 12 months ago.
“I’ve been happy and there’s certainly room for improvement and go up a few notches, but the main thing is getting results and doing well. “As long at that is happening I’m not too worried with how I’m performing. I need to keep doing what I’m doing and getting results as a team.”
While the team has started well, Jeggo said they weren’t getting ahed of themselves. The Cavaliers are set to face ladder leaders South Melbourne on Saturday.
“We try not to look too far ahead especially at the start of the season,” Jeggo said. “It’s important to concrete with targets and focusing on our performance.
“In patches in games, we’ve performed really well, but up until last week we’ve struggling to put together a whole 90 minutes of good football and performance as general.
“If we play at that level for 90 minutes, the rest will take care of itself.”
