South Melbourne's renowned Bob Jane form record was retained in what eventually proved to be a comfortable 3-0 win over Gippsland Falcons on Sunday. Two David Clarkson corners - one in each half - proved the Falcons' downfall, and debut goalkeeper Milan Udvaracz was instrumental in the third.
But Falcons were not to be overrun during the match, and a tighter score-line would not have surprised.
Central defender Nick Orlic was in the right pace to bundle the ball over the line in the 35th minute after a string of corners had finally borne fruit. Goran Lozanovski normally swings them in, but because of Lozanovski's absence from this week's South Melbourne line-up through injury, it became hard-working midfielder Clarkson's responsibility.
Clarkson had sent in the latest of a series of dangerous corners to where the two tall defenders Nick Orlic and Steve Iosifidis had been brought. Falcons had manage to partly clear, but the ball fell loose and was swung over again for Michael Curcija, whose intelligent flick may itself have resulted in the goal, but Orlic ensured that it did, despite the close attentions of Dean Fak at the post.
The second was also from a Clarkson corner falling to a player who is principally paid for defensive duties, following sustained South Melbourne pressure early in the second half. Clarkson's driven corner was only partly cleared to where it fell for Con Blatsis just inside the penalty-area. Blatsis' sweetly-struck volley crashed the ball high into the top corner.
"We've got two or three players who hit dead balls pretty well and Clark's one of them. (But) Lozza's still handy to have," said South coach Ange Postecoglou with a smile after the game. Lozanovski will be missing for about five weeks.
Gippsland Falcons also had an absence of a key player through injury, and one whose return to Bob Jane would have been welcomed by the South faithful. New signing Mehmet Durakovic, long a crowd favourite when wearing a South Melbourne shirt, was not fit to play this week, and according to Falcons' coach Jeff Hopkins was not risked. "He was close to being right (to play today). But although it was a very important game for us today, risking Mehmet (after he's been out) for six or eight weeks went against him. Hopefully now he'll be right for next week."
The contest was concluded mid-way through the second half with South's third. Udvaracz took advantage of the strong tail-wind he now benefited from, and let loose a towering goal-kick which troubled the back-pedalling Falcons' defence. Curcija won the sprint for the ball to place it wide of the blameless Bojo Jevdjevic.
Falcons could have opened the scoring themselves mid-way through the half: Manny Gotis' header from Andy Vargas' cross only marginally cleared the cross-bar with debut goalkeeper Milan Udvaracz well beaten.
And in one of Falcons' more sparkling moves just after the half-hour with the game wide open, the experienced front runner Brian MacNicol took advantage of the space created when George Goutzioulis joined a South attack. MacNicol sped up the left wing and sent a diagonal ball to Juan Nilo on the right. Fausto De Amicis won the challenge, but the ball fell free for Doug Marcina who in turn found the linking run of John Hutchison. Hutchinson launched a 35 metre pile-driver which went over.
But as the second half progressed, Falcons' launched only sporadic attacks as South took possession of the ball, leaving little for the visitors.
After the second, South sensed the win was in the bag, and replaced Vaughan Coveny and Paul Trimboli in a double substitution. Anthony Magnacca came on with John Anastasiadis and together these two fresh pairs of legs kept up the pace and pressure that meant Falcons' players were always reacting rather than creating.
But with the last kick of the game, Falcons may have at least earnt a consolation, as diminutive striker Juan Nilo burst through facing only Udvaracz with Iosifides chasing. Udvaracz did well to block Nilo's shot which was then scrambled clear by Iosifides. The final whistle came before Falcons could take the corner.
"We were expecting a tough game," said Postecoglou after the match. "It was that."
"I've watched the last couple of (Falcons') games, and things have been pretty tight - the opposition hasn't been able to play. We worked hard enough today to get the space, and I think we played some good one-touch stuff."
Falcons' coach Hopkins said "South won the physical battle - that's what was most disappointing about our performance today."
"The conditions had a fair bit to do with it as well - the wind was blowing right down the park. When you give a team as good as South space to play, they'll hurt you."