Mixed emotions for Tomi Gavran ahead of Warriors, Knights derby

He’s had a foot in both camps, but caretaker coach Tom Gavran insists his loyalty lies with North Geelong Warriors ahead of today’s derby against sister club Melbourne Knights.

North Geelong Warriors' caretaker coach Tomi Gavran.

WHEN North Geelong Warriors’ caretaker coach Tomi Gavran steps onto the turf at Somers Street in the heart of Melbourne’s western suburbs on Monday, he will have mixed emotions.

The former Warriors’ senior player spent his best playing days, as well as the past six years coaching various youth teams, at Knights Stadium.

However, this time round he will be looking to spoil the decorated former Australian champion’s 70th birthday celebrations as part of the NPL Victoria Round 9 showdown between the two sister clubs.

“It’s quite an interesting situation and rather surreal, to be honest,” Gavran admitted.

“Six months ago, if you had have suggested to me that I would be coaching the North Geelong seniors against my former club, I would have told you that you were crazy.”

Apart from telling himself he was now in charge of the North Geelong Warriors, following the recent resignation of Stuart Begg, he also wanted to allay any fears to his players that his allegiances lie elsewhere.

“At our last training session on Thursday night, I assured the boys that my allegiances lie with my current employer, North Geelong, and my one and only aim is to do my best to secure the three points for the Warriors,” Gavran

It will be a difficult task, with no less than five regular first team players unavailable through injury.

“We’ve got an extensive injury list, at the moment, We are likely to have at least five players which will make it very tough indeed,” Gavran said.

Captain Ryan Oppermann heads the list of the walking wounded at Elcho Park, alongside midfielders Ibrahim Mohamed, Lachlan McGrath, utility Nick Kozdra and exciting first year teenager Kai Williams.

Another talented teen, attacking full back George Ellis, returned to first team football in the Warriors’ midweek 2-0 win in the fourth round of the Australia Cup.

“It was good to have George back in the team, but he is at best a week by week proposition.

“He is still rusty and a little while away from returning to full match fitness,” Gavran said.

Another positive to come out of Wednesday night’s Cup clash was striker Calenb Mikulic scoring his first goal of the season.

Mikulic, who topped the NPL2 goalscoring chart with 18 goals last season, is another ex-Knight who will be returning to his old stomping ground on Monday.

“His workrate over the past few weeks has really taken off and his confidence will have improved tremendously as a result of the goal against Altona,” Gavran said.

“No doubt he will be really pumped up going into the clash with his old club.

“As for the team, if we can take the best part of our first half performance against Gully last week and the overall performance against Altona City and take that into the game against the Knights, we will certainly give them a run for their money on their home turf.”

Today’s game kicks off at 4pm at Knights Stadium.

Originally published as Mixed emotions for Tomi Gavran ahead of Warriors, Knights derby