Those in attendance at last Saturday night’s NPL fixture between Dandenong Thunder and Northcote City would have been forgiven for expecting a cagey contest between two sides struggling at the wrong end of the table.
Instead, the Thunder turned on the style to record a comprehensive 6-1 victory with their attacking performance reminiscent of the days when the club used to compete for league honours.
One player on his game was young attacking midfielder Michael Gerace, who was at the heart of everything the Thunder produced going forward, alongside other blistering performances from Ahmed Yusuf and Jacob Blackbourn.
Gerace made a dream start to his career at George Andrews Reserve when the he scored a memorable match winning free-kick on debut away to Werribee City.
“We started the season off well with a 2-1 away win over Werribee and we had a good game against Bentleigh at home before the power went out with ten minutes left, when we were on top of them and chasing an equaliser with a man advantage,” he said.
A constant starter for Stuart Munro’s side, Gerace concedes that the Thunder lost their way after those two opening fixtures but are getting back to their best form.
“Things went downhill after that and we lost four in a row before winning again, so we are getting back up and today was a great win and hopefully by the end of the season we’ll be even higher up the table.”
The 20-year-old spent his formative teenage years at the Rowville Sports Academy, where he was coached by Munro, who he credits as instrumental in his development as a footballer.
The youngster was one of many players to make the move from NPL1 over the summer, swapping the blue of Box Hill for the red and black of Dandenong Thunder, and admits there’s been a definite step up in quality between the two leagues.
Prior to his spells with Kingston City and Box Hill United last year, Gerace spent some time in his family’s homeland Italy, where his time was marred by a contract dispute which his ex-employers, and admits it’s good to be enjoying his football back in Australia.
“I am grateful that Stuart has given me a go in the NPL, showing confidence in me by giving me starts but standard wise it’s different in it being much faster, very physical and although similar in many aspects to the NPL1, much better in terms of quality,” he said.
“Stuart is a great coach and I’ve had him since I was a little kid in year nine and he’s always liked me since then and even after I’ve come back from Italy, he’s taken me on board and given me an opportunity.”
“The Northcote game was fun and I was really enjoying myself out there, and I wanted to continue on playing not wanting the whistle to come, I’m enjoying my football at this moment.”
Off the field, Gerace maintains a close friendship with South Melbourne midfielder Iqi Jawadi, a player he has grown up with and played together at the Rowville Sports Academy.
The Thunder attacking midfielder hopes to match the prowess shown by Jawadi during his time at the club between 2012 and 2013.
“He’s a good player and I’ve played with him for many years now,” he said.
While Gerace currently has his sights firmly focused on getting the 2012 VPL Champions higher up the table, he is ambitious about his future goals.
“My performances during the year, picking up more wins on the board and getting my name out there more are my goals for the year, and it’s only my first year in the top flight, so there is no rush and hopefully by next year I can get better and better, blossom more and maybe get noticed.”
A big challenge awaits Gerace and his team-mates tonight as the Thunder take on Oakleigh, with the club looking revitalised after going back to the future in appointing Arthur Papas in Miron Bleiberg’s absence.