Melton Phoenix coach Peter Schwellinger has the feeling that 2016 is going to be a smoother year.
This time last season he was preparing for his first year in charge at the state league 4 club and was getting used to new players, different opposition and a fresh game plan.
Twelve months later, the club appears to be ready for a tilt at the title.
Schwellinger says he’s ultra-impressed with the way his players have attacked the pre-season.
“I know a lot of the opposition now, but what’s more important is knowing my own team,” he says.
“I know the guys really well. I know the characters and I know what I can do with them and what I can’t do with them. That’s a big bonus.
“It took a few months last year to find that out.
“We started training two or three weeks earlier this year and I think we’re way ahead because of that.”
Melton is coming off a tough 2015 when it finished seventh on the ladder with eight wins.
If pre-season form is anything to go by, the Phoenix are in for a much-improved 2016.
They have handsomely defeated Gisborne, Melbourne City and Altona City in practice matches and smashed Noble Park 9-0 in the first round of the nationwide FFA Cup.
“We’re scoring a lot of goals and not conceding many so it’s looking very good,” Schwellinger said.
“My expectation is a top-four finish. I want to progress slowly and not rush things. We’re in the second year of a three-year plan and with the quality we have and the way we’re playing, top four is definitely achievable.”
Melton played the second round of its FFA Cup campaign on Saturday, edging out Sporting Whittlesea in a penalty shootout at MacPherson Park.
The match was level at 2-2 at the end of regulation time and 3-3 at the end of extra time.
Melton then won 4-3 on penalties and will find out its third-round opponent this week.
Elsewhere in FFA Cup results, Spring Hills was knocked out with a 3-1 loss to Beaumaris at the weekend.
After winning the state league 5 title last year, Spring Hills is competing in state league 4 this season.
