Key duo missing, but Lions coach confident

GEELONG will go into tonight’s important State League 1 home clash with Essendon Royals at Stead Park minus two of its key players.

Central playmaker Louis Bentley and star striker Vedran Stojanovic both suffered ankle injuries in last week’s 1-1 draw with Altona City — injur- ies that are likely to sideline the attacking-minded duo for close to four weeks.

Nonetheless, recently appointed Lions coach Domenic Barba is unfazed, claiming the time is right for the replacement players to step up to the plate and show what they are worth — starting with tonight’s all-important Round 6 fixture.

“We will certainly miss Vedran upfront, but Josh (Talev) is a proven goalscorer and he performed very well in partnership with Daniel (Kuczynski) last year. He is good enough to assist Daniel upfront again, now that he’s been presented with the opportunity,” explained Barba.

Stojanovic has netted four goals since crossing to Stead Park from State League 2 neighbours Corio in Round 2, but it’s Kuczynski who is in enjoying a purple patch, having scored six goals in the opening five rounds.

“Daniel will feel he’s got even more responsibility on his shoulders now that Vedran is injured and he will no doubt hold his end of the bargain even more so,” Barba said.

“In fact, I’m sure everyone will work harder for those guys who are absent in order to cover their losses.”

New signing Takanori Nishimoto, who has played under Barba at NPL level with Bulleen and Port Melbourne, is still lacking match fitness but is a distinct possibility to make a cameo appearance off the bench tonight.

The Lions will be desperate to defeat the Royals tonight, after conceding two valuable points to Altona City last week and allowing leaders North Sunshine to open up a fivepoint gap at the top of the ladder.

According to Barba, the key to capturing all three points will be to overcome the team’s inner demons.

“The team is progressing quite well, we are working hard. Our biggest opposition remains ourselves, however. I don’t mean to disrespect the opposition, but we need to only worry about our own game and not be too concerned about the others,” he said.

Kick-off is at 6pm.