By Greg Blake
A fifth consecutive Alexander victory aside, Sunday evening’s Greek derby made for uncomfortable viewing. Winless with just two goals scored in their previous six games, Hellas played to form, their laborious slump-arresting hopes ignored and predictably overrun by a Heidelberg team currently throbbing like a V12 Rolls Royce engine.
The Warriors rolled home 3-0 winners and with uncomfortable ease. Disappointment for those expecting a robust contest. Hellas fans responded to an absence of on-field derby ferocity with off-field furiosity, their hopes for 2025 unravelling, if not already in tatters.
Sunday’s game was locked scoreless at half time. Jump-starting Heidelberg’s 3-0 stroll was yet another Anthony Lesiotis surface-to-surface missile, which screamed in from 20 meters and was deflected past gallant Hellas keeper, Javier Lopez, twelve minutes after the interval. Bul Juach followed with a second goal and Asahi Yokokawa produced another gem to cap the Warrior win.
Of the great Plains Indian tribes, Comanches were once considered masters of horseback warfare. Despite inferior weaponry and often outnumbered, the Comanche ponies were quick and elusive and the illusion of imminent danger created was enough to stop massive columns of soldiers and settlers, who hurriedly circled their wagons for protection. Bad idea, as they were either slowly picked off, starved out or forced to fight their way out.
On Sunday evening South Melbourne were circling the wagons from the get-go, with nine or more of their own retreating into the back third inside the opening minutes and setting up base camp there in a bid to thwart threats, real or implied. Bad idea. Hellas stayed alive on the scoreboard for a time, but when time came to fire off a few shots of their own and fight their way out of trouble, South Melbourne had no ammo.
As patient, measured – benign even – as Heidelberg had been before half time, the second half commenced with Lopez seeing off a Mo Aidara header to set the mood and Lesiotis’ goal unleashed the Alexander tidal rush.
Any number of players might have tucked away a ball skidding through penalty area traffic on 69 minutes, but Bul Juach was left to an easy seventh goal of his year for 2-0. As Hellas wilted, it was live-wire Jay McGowan’s first touches off the bench which sealed the game. McGowan gently caressed a near post corner to ground, held off a close-checking defender and swivelled to hit looming Yokokawa.
Yokokawa honoured McGowan’s work by taking a single step and – showing trademark elegance and balance – hammered home Heidelberg’s third goal to cap another emphatic
success and reclaiming third spot on the table.
Alexander’s rampaging headliners steal the spotlight but appreciation for Ryan Lethlean’s contribution grows weekly and Fletcher Fulton is growing in confidence and is as bold as any of the Kelly Gang.
Combining mastery and mystique in equal portions, this Alexander side is abundant in potential. It has momentum. They are genuinely playing for each other. The public displays of joy, affection and unity with every goal scored is summer-of-love and Woodstock 1969-style uplifting.
Oakleigh and Avondale are waiting to spoil the party. Second and first respectively on the ladder, the Cannons and Avengers have shared the last three Victorian championships. They rarely break down, nap or crack, nor do they allow an opponent a moment of peace, an opportunity to assert authority or offer their team a lift.
The next two rounds are massive. If you’re an Alexander fan get to the live games and get loud.
Seat belts on kiddies, it’s gonna get wild!!
