Bragging rights on the line

By JARROD POTTER

IT IS time to settle the score.
Bunyip Strikers and Pakenham Cougars will take to the field next Friday night (5 April) to answer an important question within the Cardinia Shire Council area – who is the best soccer team in the area?
The inaugural Cardinia Shield will be on the line and the winner also claims bragging rights for the next year in the shire.
Bunyip’s wily midfielder, captain Mark Ancilleri, said his Strikers have the current form on their side, with a finals berth in the Football Chaos Cup and a couple of wins this off-season over the Cougars are proof positive of their superiority.
“I think with the strength of the squad we have this year as opposed to the previous two years, that we’re going forward,” Ancilleri said.
“Believe with the depth we’ve got there now, that we can challenge pretty much anybody.”
That’s not the case at all according to Pakenham’s midfield mountain, captain Cris Moreno. He believes the pre-season friendlies weren’t indicative of his side’s true potential.
“The winner of this shield will claim the real honours for the next year – It’s good to have them (Bunyip) there, but now we’re here so we’ve got to show them what we’re made of, so bring on the rivalry!
“We’ve lost one of the Teles brothers but we’ve gained a lot more.
“We’ve got a bunch of new guys so it’s looking like more of a strong team – we’re a more all-round team now, we’re not as reliant on two or three guys like last year.”
The pair threw down the gauntlet and will lead their sides out on Friday night at 7.30pm – a rarity that most players at the local level haven’t seen in their careers.
“Watch out Bunyip – bring it on – we’ll see whose number one after the match!” Moreno said.
“Wish them all the best, but unfortunately for them, the trophy will be coming back with us,” Ancilleri said.
All joking and chest-beating aside, Bunyip and Pakenham will square off with the best intention in mind – helping raise funds for Bunyip schoolgirl Isabella Adamiak, who’s currently going through a much more serious battle trying to beat a two-year bout with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. It is a gold-coin donation to get in on Friday night with everything in the tin given to help the Adamiaks and Isabella through her treatment and hopefully into remission.