Raiders veteran signings help the Gepps Cross club claim its first title since 2002 with 3-1 State League One grand final triumph
RAIDERS coach Nik Kuzman has highlighted the recruitment of veterans Adam van Dommele, Scott Tunbridge, Jono Negus and Matthew Kemp as crucial to helping his side snare a drought-breaking soccer title.
RAIDERS coach Nik Kuzman has highlighted the recruitment of veterans Adam van Dommele, Scott Tunbridge, Jono Negus and Matthew Kemp as crucial to helping his side snare a drought-breaking soccer title.
The Gepps Cross club brought in the quartet at the beginning of the season to add experience and professionalism to a squad that reached the State League One semi-finals last season.
Van Dommele, Tunbridge and Negus played in the second-tier grand final on Saturday as Raiders beat Adelaide Blue Eagles 3-1 at Hindmarsh Stadium to win the club its first title since 2002.
“At the beginning of the season we targeted a handful of players with the right character and personalities, that winning mentality,” said Kuzman, who was appointed in May last year.
“We had a young group before this year and they were great players but they didn’t know what success tastes like.
“Having that mix of younger guys with more experienced players showing them what it takes to be as professional as we can in our league opened up everyone’s eyes – they lift the standard.
“That was a major difference (this year).”
Kuzman said his team was focused from the first whistle.
Ex-national league player Tunbridge got Raiders on the scoresheet on 21 minutes when he used his nous to cap a well-timed run with a nice finish from a tight angle.
“Ninety per cent of players would miss an opportunity like that but he just slotted a textbook finish from a professional player,” Kuzman said.
Yas Sudic then made it 2-0 from a set piece 20 minutes later by flicking a header past the goalkeeper.
Alemayo Kebede got Blue Eagles back into the contest when he converted a penalty seven minutes into the second half.
Kuzman said the goal lifted ABE, which began peppering the ball “in and around” the box for the next 20 minutes, but did not have any clear-cut chances at goal.
Raiders’ substitutions helped swing the momentum back in their favour.
Captain Michael Paleka then sealed the result by coming off the bench to score a forceful header in his farewell game.
“I don’t think he was too happy being on the bench on the day,” Kuzman said.
“That goal eased the whole situation and he was rapt and looked at me like ‘I told you’.”
Kuzman said the club’s supporters had been starved of success and celebrations went long into the night.
“It was good to see the boys got the result. I’m happy for them.”