Tara Murray
It’s a big few weeks coming up for the Melton Phoenix as it tries to stamp its FV state league 5 promotion credentials.
The Phoenix are one of five sides currently in the promotion mix after 12 rounds in what is a tight top of the table.
Phoenix coach Darren Traynor said they were currently sure how many teams would be promoted, so they’re aiming as high as possible.
“Balmoral has a substantial lead on top of the ladder,” he said. “We don’t know whether there are two potential spots and a third through a play off.
“It should have been the case last year, when we finished equal first, but only one team went up.
“We should have been playing in state league 4. There’s nothing concrete and everything is still up in the air.”
Traynor said they thought they were tracking along nicely having been in every game that they’ve played except for one against Balmoral.
He said there wasn’t much between them and the other teams at the top of the ladder.
“We had 10 men when we lost to Bendigo and Balmoral is a good side, who took their opportunities.
“West Point was a battle between second and third a few weeks ago. It was 2-2 and the last 20 minutes we had 10 men. We were the better team and we should have got the points.
“All four of us are vying for a promotion spot.”
Traynor said they were happy they had started to hit the scoreboard a bit more while restricting the opposition.
He said the next couple of weeks would be vital in their season.
“The plan is to win the next two games at home,” he said. “We play Deakin and they are decent.
“The big one is against Bendigo at home, which is just behind us. They are a fairly similar young side and they play similarly too.
“It will be a good challenge at our ground.
“The buy in has been good and training has been good, things are kicking along nicely. “
