If a week is a long time is football, 21 days is an eternity.
Altona was the unfortunate club to be hit with a three-week mid-season break in the Western Region Football League division 1. The lag resulted from a bye inserted into the fixture at the 11th hour following Parkside’s relegation to third division.
Altona had a bye round last weekend and the Queen’s birthday break will follow this weekend, so it will be a long 21 days without action for the well-rested Vikings.
Vikings player-coach Josh Russo told Star Weekly it was important his players did not treat it like a holiday.
“We’re still training and just making sure we’re enjoying our footy and keeping our heads in a good space,” he said.
“It was a low-key, jovial type of session on Tuesday night and on Thursday we had a bit of a crack, a bit of a solid one.
“We’ll change it up a bit next week and make sure we’re still working hard.”
Ordinarily, you brave the cold nights at training and have the reward of a game at the end of the week, but the Vikings won’t get their competitive juices flowing until the second weekend of June.
What it does offer is a chance for reflection and to ponder what lies ahead.
The Vikings’ season is at the crossroads with a 3-4 record.
They can square the ledger with a win over Sunshine Kangaroos after the break, otherwise it will be a long way back.
“We’re halfway through a season after the Sunshine game and not a lot has been achieved yet,” Russo said. “I’d like to think if we can get back to 4-4, that’s the bare minimum in terms of satisfaction.”
The Vikings went into the season hellbent of returning to the finals after missing last season.
They bolstered their team with a number of off-season signings, promoted improving younger players and gained a better understanding of Russo’s game plan in his second year in the job.
It still hasn’t totally clicked for the Vikings, though Russo is adamant it’s not far away.
“We’re playing well in patches. We’ve seen some good signs, but maybe the consistency has eluded us a bit,” Russo said.
“We were short on Spotty by 17 points, and Hoppers got hold of us in a 10 or 15-minute spell; otherwise we were well in that game.
“We’ve been around the mark, but we just haven’t been able to capitalise on the opportunities. The ability is there and I’d like to think we can beat anyone on our day.”
Jack Marlais is the form midfielder at the Vikings.
The wingman is finding a lot of the football and running out games better in his second season at the level.
“He’s worked on his physical side of things and he’s covering the ground and working longer in the game,” Russo said.
Jayden Post is starting to find his feet again after taking most of last season off.
Post is the most talented big man on the list and has been used both forward and back. I thought he played his best game for us in the last game,” Russo said.
Cam D’Altera has been the most damaging forward with 20 goals, while onballer Jordan Robbins and half-back Thomas Szanyi have won their positions more often than not.
With two home matches after the break, the Vikings need to hit the ground running, otherwise they could get left behind in the finals race.
