Oakleigh Cannon’s defender Dominic D’Angelo has dubbed tonight’s top of the table clash against South Melbourne as one of the biggest games of his career.
In a good old fashion six pointer, a win would see Oakleigh claw South’s lead at the top back to only six points, whilst a victory would see the visitors extend their advantage to 12 points, maintaining their 100% record to start the season.
Despite featuring in last years Victorian Premier League Grand Final with Bentleigh Greens, the 27-year-old believes tonight’s contest could potentially take precedence.
“If the match lives up to what its meant to be it will definitely be my biggest game and I think that includes the Grand Final as far as the crowd goes especially and as far as hype,” D’Angelo said.
“I think no matter what the number is the atmosphere is going to be unbelievable”, D’Angelo said as around 3,000 people are expected to pack into Jack Edwards Reserve.
“They’re nine points ahead so we really need this win and I think we need it a lot more than they do.”
Deployed as a right central defender in coach Miron Bleiberg’s flat back three, D’Angelo and co will have the demanding task ahead of them as they attempt to keep the competition’s leading goal scorer Milos Lujic at bay.
“He’s a clinical finisher so he’s going to be a hard player to mark, we’ve just got to mark him tightly and make sure he doesn’t get too much of the ball,” he said.
Aside from their concerns in regards to Lujic, D’Angelo detailed that tactics have been the main area of preparations for tonight.
“Tactically we’ve been working how we are going to try and break down South Melbourne and obviously how we want to defend against them as well.”
“Its been a lot of tactics, a lot of ball work, getting used to our own ground obviously and how we are going to move the ball around on it.”
Oakleigh will enter tonights fixture after defeating Werribee City 2-0 on Saturday night, D’Angelo himself amongst the goal scorers.
Aside from South’s perfect run to date, the hosts too will line up in fine form with only one loss to their name, D’Angelo detailing the confidence amongst the coach and playing group.
“He’s (Bleiberg) emphasised that this is our most important game of the season and apart from that the vibes been good at training, everyone has been up for it and looking forward to it.”
Photos by Graeme Furlong