Tara Murray
Altona East Phoenix is keen to build on last season and go one step further in the FV state league 2 north-west.
After exceeding expectations last season and being in the promotion mix until the last round, the Phoenix have assembled a squad it believes can challenge again.
Having claimed three wins and a draw from the first four matches, Phoenix coach Terry Antoniadis is pretty happy to start the season.
“It has been an encouraging start,” he said before round four. “We’ve got seven points from nine in the first three games.
“The fixture was pretty tough in the opening three rounds and we’re really pleased to get the season off on the right foot, but we understand there is still a lot of work to be done.”
Antoniadis said there weren’t any easy games in the competition this season, with early rumblings and matches showing about seven teams pushing for promotion.
He said they were keen to be one of those teams.
“There looks like there will be at least seven quality teams going for promotion and only two slots to fill,” he said.
“We want to be one of those teams in the mix. We went really close last year and we just fell short.
“There is some disappointment from getting so close last year and missing out. We will keep taking it week to week and focus on what is in front of us and not look too far ahead.”
Antoniadis said knowing they were that close last year they didn’t want to change too much squad wise.
He said they had been able to maintain the majority of last season’s squad which says a lot about the environment at the club.
The Phoenix then also added some more experienced players to the squad.
Antoniadis said to take the next step we needed to add that extra bit of experience and quality to the squad.
Former Green Gully captain Jay Davies has joined the club and brings plenty of experience to the club.
Marko Delic has crossed from Dandenong City, with former professional English footballer, Sam O’Halleron has also come across as had Jose Portillo.
James Stefanou is another to join the club according to Antoniadis brings a different perspective.
“James has played at a high level and has been over in the states as a kicker at college over there,” he said.
“He has been around that professional environment and we’ll look for him to instil that professionalism and experience.”
Antoniadis said while they have a really strong culture at the club, these guys they’ve added came to help with the little things to help them go to the next level.
On Saturday, the Phoenix beat Altona North, 4-0.
