With no side in NPL able to go through the first five fixtures of the season undefeated, the Manager of the Month award for February/March goes to an NPL2 supremo.
In the East, both Huss Skenderovic and Nick Tolios of Dandenong Thunder and Kingston City respectively, might find themselves unlucky, given each of duo led their sides to 100% records over the first month and a half of the season.
But the winner of the season’s inaugural monthly award is Whittlesea Ranges manager Vinko Buljubasic, who, after guiding his team to two draws in their opening two games, oversaw three straight victories to propel the unfashionable Epping-based side to the top of a competitive Western conference, ahead of the likes of Melbourne City and his two former clubs North Geelong Warriors and St Albans Saints.
The Ranges have since continued their good form into the new month thanks to an impressive 4-2 away triumph over Box Hill United at Wembley Park on Saturday afternoon.
TCF spoke to the two-time NSL champion the following day as he cast a key eye over proceedings at Churchill Reserve between the Saints and NPL2 East front-runners Dandenong Thunder.
While he was content with the start to the campaign, he wasn’t getting carried away by his side’s good early season form.
“I’m pleased with the start but I think there is a lot of improvement still to be made, but obviously I can’t complain given we’re on top of the ladder”, Buljubasic said.
One Ranges player who has stood out over the course of the opening rounds has been forward Atilla Ofli, who has bagged 10 goals in six outings – including an opening round hat-trick against Werribee City, as well as doubles over Sunshine, Springvale and lately Box Hill.
The former Hume City attacker spent much of his pre-season trialling with A-League title-challengers Western Sydney Wanderers and South Melbourne, before returning to Epping Stadium to become the focal point of Buljubasic’s line up, with his manager holding him in high praise.
“To his credit he’s had a few trials in the off-season and he’s come back and look he’s done really well for us, and I think that opportunity to play at a higher level will come again for him but hopefully we can one day we can play in the NPL and keep a player like that,” Buljubasic said.
Given their strong start to the season, which sees the northern suburbs-based outfit occupy top spot on the NPL2 West standings, you would have forgiven Buljubasic’s side to be thinking about the possibility of promotion, although the former Melbourne Knights and Perth Glory fullback admits that they haven’t given that any thought so far.
“We haven’t even thought about promotion. It’s about being consistent each week and hopefully the players have the confidence now to keep playing and maintaining that winning mentality,” he said.
The 42-year-old is into his third season at the club, and despite an underwhelming two years in the NPL, admits the Whittlesea project was always a long-term one.
“When I first came to the club we had a vision for a three-year plan. We’ve had a good start so far and in my opinion improved each year which is a positive for the club,” he said.
In addition to the good form of Ofli, several of Buljubasic’s new signings have also made their presence known, with goalkeeper Luke Gallo, former A-League defender and club captain Naum Sekulovski, and Papua New Guinea international George Slefendorfas earning plaudits over the first month and a half of the seaon.
Other younger players such as Stefan Baricevic and Matthew Cundari have also matured and progressed with their development, although Buljubasic is keen to emphasise the role of every member of the squad without singling out anyone.
“I don’t want to single out any player as I think we’ve got the right balance this year in the squad,” he said.
“We’ve got a healthy squad, which makes competition for places high with players on their toes each week where nobody is guaranteed a spot in the starting XI, as you’re only as good as your last game.”
Buljubasic’s side will be looking to continue on their undefeated start to the campaign when they host the out-of-form Moreland City at Epping Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
City expect to welcome back star-striker Apai Ukuno, who returns from international duty, although they will be without goalkeeper Brandon Galgano who has suffered a season-ending shoulder injury.