After just one minute last week against Avondale FC, Green Gully players already looked more buoyant than they had in the previous two months.
New recruit Liam Boland – who already had a knack of scoring crucial goals at Oakleigh in his cameo appearances – had just netted the first of his three goals on the day, with his hat-trick propelling the Cavaliers to a 4-1 win.
It was the club’s first victory in eight weeks, and first since the departure of former coach Bob Stojcevski, who was relieved of his coaching duties the week before and replaced by the player-coaching pair of Roddy Vargas and Stephen Downes.
Ironically, the current coaching arrangement is a case of back to the future for the Cavaliers.
The 2014 duo of Aaron Symons and Jeff Fleming was replaced by Stojcevski after a torrid start to the season, sitting 11th on the ladder with three wins in nine games, shipping in 25 goals in the process.
Now the same fate has befallen the latter, who led the club to just three wins after 12 games in 2015 whilst conceding 28 goals.
Football can often be a cruel mistress, none more so for Stojcevski, a faithful servant over many years – including coaching the under-20’s – to one of Victoria’s most successful clubs, who leaves only after being thrust into the hot seat to restore some stability to the club he loved, rarely seen since the title winning days.
Nonetheless, his departure may just act as the launching pad for Vargas’ coaching career, who at 36-years-old is in the twilight of his prestigious playing days, spanning almost 140 A-League games and two Socceroos caps.
There was a renewed attacking fervour, desire and hunger on display from the men in green last week, perpetuated by their new co-leader on the pitch.
It may only be one win, and it is common to see a side’s form temporarily spike for a new manager before dropping again.
There was similar optimism in the first game of the season, when the Cavaliers also beat Northcote by the same 4-1 margin, with a follow up win against Oakleigh the following week, before it all fell apart.
But Vargas doesn’t approach the position out of his depth, accumulating years of knowledge under Ernie Merrick at Victory, whilst also recently completing a C license course to groom him for the role.
A lot can change in a short time, and the club may be looking for replacements in the meantime, but the end of Stojcevski’s era at the club may just be the beginning of a new chapter for Vargas.
And if the old adage, “you are only as good as your last game,” rings true, the 36-year-old may just have announced himself as a successful future coach.