Dandenong City crowned NPL2 champions, ready to make impact in top flight

Dandenong City’s time in NPL2 has been short and sweet as the club celebrates a premiership and immediate return to the top flight.

Dandenong City celebrates its NPL2 premiership. Picture: Dandenong City Facebook

Dandenong City’s time in the NPL2 has been short and sweet.

After securing promotion with a heart-stopping 96th minute winner last week, the club sealed its second NPL2 premiership on Saturday with a 2-0 victory over Eastern Lions.

At a packed Frank Holohan Reserve, Luca Slavica and Will Bower sent the home crowd into raptures with goals in either half.

The match wasn’t without drama of its own with keeper John Hall saving a penalty just before half-time to keep his side in front.

Premiership coach Nick Tolios said after the drama of last Monday’s 3-2 win over Bulleen Lions, Saturday’s win was the perfect way to cap the season.

Will Bower celebrates a goal for Dandenong. Picture: Dandenong City Facebook

“Monday night summed us up, coming from behind to clinch promotion, and then to win the championship at home in front of all our fans was the cherry on top,” he said.

“We’re very excited to be back in the NPL.

“Having a chat to some of the players and staff I think NPL2 is up there like the Championship in England, the competition was so close.

“I think up until two or three weeks ago there was still six club that could have been promoted so it’s a relief to get out of the league to be honest.

“To win a title at home on the last day, it doesn’t happen often.”

After the disappointment of relegation from the NPL last season it’s an impressive response from Dandenong City.

After winning just one game in its first six and sitting on the bottom of the ladder, Hadjuk won four games on the trot to revive its season and finished the campaign with eight games unbeaten.

It finishes five points clear of Manningham United, which snatched the second promotion spot on the final day of the campaign with a 3-1 win over Northcote City and Western United’s shock 3-1 loss to Bulleen.

Dandenong City coach Nick Tolios. Picture: Dandenong City Facebook

Tolios paid tribute to his playing group, having used 28 players.

“Our captain Jack Webster has been super important, he’s someone that’s won everything you can win in the NPL,” Tolios said.

“Johnny Hall, our goalkeeper, has been immense, Jacob Alexander as well, and guys like Damian Iaconis has scored some really important goals this season.

“I’ve been explaining to the players all year, our squad is what will get us over the line this season.

“We had three or four tight games where we came back from 2-0 down to win, so it shows how good our squad is and how deep we bat.”

Josh Millar was the only City player to appear in all 26 matches, while Iaconis led the way with 11 goals – ranked sixth in the competition.

City can now turn its focus to a NPL return and a revival of the Dandenong derby.

“The main goal for next season is to build a team that’s competitive and try to stop that yo-yo affect and really give the NPL a shake and get into the top-six,” Tolios said.

“We know it’s going to be hard but want to cement our spot first and then start building a team that can push up and challenge.

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“Everyone tells me the Dandy derby is exciting to play in.

“It’s great to have two teams out of Dandenong in the NPL, it’s going to be a great season.”

Dandenong City and Manningham United will replace North Geelong and Bentleigh Greens in the top flight next season.

Meanwhile in NPL2, Brunswick Juventus and Pascoe Vale will step back to NPL3 next season and Caroline Springs George Cross and Melbourne Victory will step up.