By Greg Blake
Alexander 3-1 win against Avondale sends a notice to the league.
It ended with an outpouring of uncustomary mid-season joy. And a palpable sense of relief that this marvellous 2025 thrill-ride is no mirage. Just another game? That the song is rarely sung with more passion than it was after Alexander downed Avondale 3-1 last Friday night says otherwise.
Heidelberg’s most prolific goalscorer, Bul Juach, tapped-in on 20 minutes to steal the early break, but few could anticipate the lightning strikes to follow. Avondale keeper, Thomas Manos, had felt the Warrior storm-front approaching much earlier, with one, two then three opponents charging in to intimidate as he tried to clear.
‘Whispering Death’, Jamal Ali, is fairly dancing through games at an elite level these days. He launched a Juach to Ashi Yokokawa move which left Manos’ crossbar rattling half an hour in. That was the preview. Avondale were well up for the contest until the main feature commenced minutes later and Alexander left the Avengers flailing in their wake.
Ten minutes from the break Ali scampered in to collect a spilled Avondale ball near half field before gently spilling his pass square to Anthony Lesiotis, who was quick to angle outside for Max Bisetto. Bisetto gunned the engine and powered to the edge of Avondale’s penalty area, speared the ball into a madding crowd at the top of the box, where Mo Aidara held ground and watched his shot rebound off a defender and fall nicely for you-know-who.
That sweet left-footer by Ali to make it 2-0 was more sublime than spectacular. Incisive rather than incredible. Ali simply book-ended a move that was sharp. Razor-wire sharp. Coming into half time Juach reeled away from traffic and sprinted over half field before delivering precisely into the path of Sabit Ngor, who finished with calm authority to make it 3-0.
Avondale is the single team in the NPL one may hesitate in calling it game over after a half of football. But turns out that this game was, indeed, over at half time. As expected, Avondale – albeit minus key hit men Zinni and Ott – went down swinging, but, dizzied and dazzled, the Avengers sagged and dropped long before the final bell. Manny Aguek’s very late goal was just that. Way too late.
Lesiotis must get a mention for another tireless day at the office, but Friday night belonged as much to skipper, Ben Collins, Ryan Lethlien, Fletcher Fulton and Yaran Sozer, as much as any others. The freedom to assert dash and creativity is hard won. Quelling any threat of Avondale’s three goals-per-game potential was key on Friday night. Keeping the Avengers virtually scoreless allowed those around them to play unencumbered by scoreboard or time clock pressure.
As always, Sozar neatly blended solid with spectacular. Again standing levitathan-like, Collins and Lethlien’s partnership has a rhythm of its own. Always seemingly unhurried and unruffled, give ‘em both rifles and whack a couple of tall fluffy hats and red uniforms on ‘em. They play with the unflappable poise of a pair of King’s Guards outside Buckingham Palace. And for Fulton, if he is playing this well out of position, then this is his position.
Heidelberg’s now six-game winning streak means little, given a trip to face reigning champions Oakleigh is a mere week away and another gruelling 14 weeks before Alexander’s 2025 is decided conclusively. However, that a couple of hours of ceaseless rain on Anzac Day evening hardly dulled Alexander’s skills or speed bodes well for the approaching winter months.
But that’s still to come. Right now, for Warriors everywhere, the next couple of days should only be about relishing a famous victory over an Avondale side of the highest calibre. Celebrating with gusto the KO of a genuine heavyweight. And considering with anticipation the emphatic manner of this marvellous victory and what it may mean going forward.
Even if only briefly, enjoy the moment. Warrior Nation.
