After a dream finals campaign in 2022, Oakleigh know they will have a target on their back this campaign. But with a strong off-season, Head Coach Chris Taylor is confident the Cannons can again be among the teams to beat.
A 5-0 victory in the NPLM Final against South Melbourne was the icing on a spectacular 2022 for the Cannons, who also reached the Dockerty Cup Final and Semi-Final of the Australia Cup.
2023 has started just as well, with Oakleigh claiming the 2023 Community Shield in a brilliant 4-0 win over Bentleigh Greens with Joe Guest, Alex Salmon, Alex Fietchner and Chris Lucas getting on the scoresheet.
Head Coach Chris Taylor said since receiving a “taste of success” last season, his side was hungry for more.
“Last season was pretty good for us, it was probably one of the most successful seasons anyone has had,” he said.
“We are delighted with that, but we want to carry it on.
“We are out to win it again this year and we have brought in a number of players and like I have always said it is a marathon, not a sprint.
“You don’t win it in pre-season or in the first five games it is always done in the business end of the season.”
The Cannons squad had a lengthy break, before getting stuck into the pre-season a few weeks before Christmas.
“Not only did we finish late as we played in the semi-final of the Australia Cup, but I think for the last 10-12 weeks we were playing three games a week and we basically did it with 10 or 11 outfield players,” he explained.
“It was pretty intense, so we let the boys recharge the batteries.”
Despite the lengthy lay-off the playing lists’ injury woes refused to go away, with a number of players ruled out for the start of the season.
“It has been a difficult pre-season but sometimes that is what football is about,” Taylor explained.
“Our issues from last year have continued on with us we have basically don’t a full preseason without a goalkeeper and we have a number of injuries.
“We have got the likes of Stefan Valentini who is going to miss the first five or six games Brandon Lundy will probably miss two or three and both keepers are out.
“We do have one or two who we do expect back, but I think Aryn Williams is out for most of the season and Jacob Eliopoulos will be back around round five or six, that’s where we are at the moment.
“As the season progresses we hope to get a couple of the boys back but that’s what it’s all about having the depth and strength in the squad to cover the injuries.”
Taylor was confident his younger brigade and off-season recruits would be able to fill the void left by ongoing injuries.
“We are still light on in one or two positions but sometimes that gives the opportunity to a few younger players,” he said.
“We want that bit of variety and a bit of depth there, we have got eight new signings and we are very hopeful for all of them.
“They have all been signed for different reasons and along with our existing players like Joe Guest who has looked very fit since returning from the U.K.
“When we look at the entire squad, we have had a look at areas that we thought could do with a little bit of help and are comfortable heading into this season.”
Taylor explained the club targeted players who were looking to take the next step in their development to elevate the club moving forward.
“We want players at our club who are ambitious and who are wanting to go to the next level, which means they are wanting to put themselves in the shop window and if they perform well the opportunity will be there,” he said.
“If they apply themselves, we will get the best out of them as well.
"The likes of Anthony Pantazopoulos I think he is still 19, he has had a bit of experience in the young Socceroos squad and we rely on people like that who want to go to the next level and if they play well then we benefit from it.”
The Cannons have bolstered their defence over the off-season through recruits Anton Mlinaric (Brisbane Roar) Brandon Lundy (Avondale) and Emlyn Wellsmore (Port Melbourne).
In the final third, Alex Salmon (Green Gully) and Stefan Valentini (Avondale) will add serious pedigree to an already lethal frontline. Alex Fietchner (Lions FC, NPLQ) also arrives and will be an exciting one to watch.
Connor Hampson (Curzon Ashton) has also been signed as the reigning Champions' visa player and will add even more experience to the side, alongside Cameron McGlip, who has crossed from the Dandenong Thunder.
The Cannons understand they need to continue to improve as the rest of the competition is doing everything it can to dethrone them.
“The big thing that we are trying to push to our players is because we did so well last year we are almost the hunted now,” Taylor said.
“We have become the benchmark for everyone, and we need to carry that mantle and go a little bit harder than last year."
OPENING FIXTURES
Round 1: Oakleigh Cannons v Green Gully
Round 2: Melbourne Knights v Oakleigh Cannons
Round 3: Dandenong Thunder v Oakleigh Cannons