Green Gully finish at Casey Fields against Melbourne City with relegation long since confirmed, and 2027 to be played in VPL1. However, there is one matter left to settle.
The Cavaliers sit on 14 points from 25 matches, one behind Dandenong Thunder, who travel to St Albans Dinamo. As Gully looks to build for next season, they can avoid an unwanted place in the record books – the wooden spoon. Better Thunder’s result at Fox St, and their superior goal difference will see Andy Vargas’ side move up to 13th.
Melbourne City sit tenth on 30 points – the first A-League academy side to survive relegation from the Victorian top flight. With A-League preseason wreaking havoc on player availability, their momentum has stalled of late, and a 6-2 home defeat to Bentleigh Greens summed up their recent poor run of form.
They won the earlier meeting 3-1 at Green Gully Reserve in May – a result that proved something of a line in the sand for Gully, who have picked up 11 of their 14 points since. Medin Memeti was the hero that day for City with a spectacular double, but is unlikely to be made available due to A-League commitments.
There is a weight to this one beyond the standings. This weekend marks 50 years since the club was promoted to the top tier in Victoria, and 40 years since the club’s last relegation, when Gully dropped down from the NSL.
Last weekend provided opportunities for youngsters Rushonn Tafunai and Lucas Hogan, who acquitted themselves well on starting debut. Saturday may provide a platform for more members of the next generation of Gully talent to make their mark.
Three points and a favour from St Albans, and the Cavaliers finish this difficult year off the bottom. A small thing to play for, but for those who bleed green and white, it matters.
Casey Fields, Saturday 29 August, 3pm. Go Gully!
