Tara Murray
Caroline Springs George Cross may have done enough to seal its fate in the Victorian Premier League 1 competition, but coach Eric Vassiliadis is thinking what might have been.
After two straight promotions, the Georgies faced a stiff challenge early in the season and for much of the year was in the relegation battle.
They started to find form in the back part of the season to move into the middle part of the ladder.
Vassiliadis says he has mixed thoughts on the season, which has two rounds remaining.
“I think as an organisation looking back at this year we see it as a wasted opportunity,” he said.
“We took the wrong approach at the start of the year as a group. It coincided with some difficulties with injuries and suspension.
“We could not pick up points early, as soon as we got the team where we needed it to be, it’s been a good way to finish the season.”
Vassiliadis said they had a good formula the last couple of years and they had gone away from that.
He said as a coaching group it’s been the hardest they’ve had to work to try and find the solutions needed.
“It’s not easy to turn things around when you’re in a rut,” he said. “We’ve been able to do that.
“I’m proud of the group.”
On Saturday, the Georgies faced the Eastern Lions. Riki Hosoai and Joseph Ridley were the goal scorers for the Georgies.
Vassiliadis said it was a really strong win.
“We were understrength and we used the opportunity to play some younger players,” he said.
“We had five 15,16,17 and 18 year olds that got an opportunity to come up and they know with that comes responsibility as we still want to win.
I think they were all on the pitch when we got the win”
Vassiliadis said he would have some tough selection decisions this week with a number of senior players set to return.
He said having all those players, most who have come through the club’s program, shows the pathway they have set up is working for them.
The Georgies face the North Geelong Warriors this Saturday in the second last round,
Vassiliadis said they want to consolidate the last couple of rounds,
“From fifth to 10th it is really tight,” he said. “We want to finish as high as we can. It’s a better platform for next year.”
Joining the Georgies in VPL1 next season will be North Sunshine Eagles,
The Eagles secured their promotion with two rounds remaining with a 4-3 win against the Boroondara-Carey Eagles on Saturday.
Tara Murray
