By Josip Zilic
The mindset behind coach Luc Trani’s transformation of North Geelong Warriors was on display in the fight-from-behind 1-1 draw last Saturday against Whittlesea Ranges.
It will hold the Warriors in good stead as they head to Brunswick on Saturday to face an opponent who has pressed opponents well and shown it can convert chances. With a bit of luck, Brunswick would have a form record showing a win and draw.
North Geelong was able to get off to a solid start on the weekend and had a 10th minute chance to Darius Madison go unpunished after out-jostling his opponent to run onto goal.
As the half wore on Whittlesea carved out chances of its own including, with a goal-line clearance from Nicholas Anderson keeping the score line at parity.
On 31 minutes Whittlesea’s Chris Talajic managed to get away from the pack in the goal mouth to open the scores when a corner kick was swung in low, shoving his foot out to put the ball past Hamish Flavell in goal.
After the break the Warriors came out with gusto and were lifting by the minute to build a series of chances for Michael Anderson, Madison and Dom Marafioti, who were off target.
The pressing period opened up the risk of counter attacks and, if not for some good keeping from Flavell quashing those opportunities, Whittlesea would have scored more.
In the dying stages of regular time the Warriors got the leveller they deserved when substitute Thomas Hidic muscled his way into the six yard area to meet a ball from a cross that wasn’t dealt with and slammed it home.
Coach Trani was overall satisfied with the long periods of concentration to keep the opponent under pressure but will want better finishing in the upcoming match against Brunswick.
In the prior under-20s fixture, the Warriors kept their winning form with a 3-0o win with goals to Ben Tucak, Josip Prpic and Jamie Noggler.
