Adam Santic has worked hard on the Truganina front line. Photo: Damjan Janevski
Truganina has everything to play for in the remaining two rounds of the Football Federation Victoria men’s State League 5 west season.
The ecstasy of a championship, the thrill of promotion or another dreaded winter in the state league cellar are all possible outcomes for the Hornets.
How the cards fall for the third-year club will be determined over the final two match days.
“We’re treating it like we’ve got two finals to play,” Hornets president Sergio Lunedei said.
Truganina can take care of part one and seal promotion with a win over third-placed Spring Hills on the road on Saturday.
A loss, however, and the waters get a whole lot murkier, with the Hornets needing to beat Lara in the final round and hope another result goes their way.
However, the Hornets are not short of confidence and remain focused on not only gaining promotion but tasting ultimate glory.
“If we win, we’ll be promoted and it will be historic for the club,” Lunedei said.
“We don’t want to drop points at all in our last two games. We want to win the league.”
Lunedei said Saturday’s trip to Spring Hills held “no fears” for his team.
The Hornets beat the Caroline Springs club last time they met but lost the initial meeting at Springside Recreation Reserve early in the season.
Lunedei is just hopeful his young side isn’t overawed by the occasion, as it will be the first such experience in the club’s short history.
“First of all, we have to be patient and not get consumed by the pressure,” Lunedei said.
“It’s an important match and if you get scared of the pressure you can choke.”
Lunedei praised senior coach Achille Mellini for keeping his side focused.
It can be a tough job for a coach at the bottom of the state leagues, having to deal with clubs higher up the division poaching their players.
The Hornets lost leading goalscorer Jordan Borg to Werribee City, but Mellini has found a way to the back of the net through the three-pronged attack of Adam Santic, Chris Scavo and Musa Kamara.
Arthur Chelidonis, elevated from the reserves last week, scored two goals on debut and could have a big role to play over the next fortnight. Carlo Mellini, the son of the coach, has been outstanding at the back and looms as one of the keys.
“He’s the heart and soul of the seniors team,” Lunedei said.
“He’s never missed a game; he’s in there fighting and never gives up.”
Lunedei founded the Hornets three years ago and always envisaged the day the club would be fighting it out for promotion.
“That’s how I planned it … to start fighting for the top spots,” he said.
“It’s a fair bit of tension, though. I prefer to not think about it sometimes.”
