Michaela Meade
Hume City is trying to “make the best of a bad situation” after its run for another Dockerty Cup trophy was put on hold.
Hume was meant to face Port Melbourne in a semi-final match last Tuesday, however Victoria’s COVID-19 lockdown put a stop to.
Hume claimed the senior trophy in 2019, competing this year as the reigning champions.
Coach Nick Hegarty said the fifth hard lockdown for the state was “unfortunately not something new” for the team.
“We’re kind of getting used to this now,” Hegarty said.
“We’ve had a bit of down time… like everybody, we’re trying to make the best out of a bad situation.
“The good thing about these lockdowns is there’s nothing to do but stay fit.
“We’re getting the best out of everyone during lockdown, so that when we do get back, we’ll be ready.”
Between three separate competitions – the National Premier League, the Dockerty Cup, and the FFA Cup – Hegarty said the players are gearing up for a packed schedule once restrictions are lifted.
“The team’s hoping that we’ll get to finish,” he said.
“We’re hoping that we will get the opportunity to fulfill the fixtures [of the three competitions].
“We just have to be ready, if we get the opportunity to play.
“We need to make sure that we’re ready to play a lot of games in a short amount of time.
“With a crammed schedule… we’ll all be tested in terms of how we prepare and get through things.
“Hopefully it will be a good experience for the team and the coaching staff.”
Hegarty said before the lockdown hit, the team was performing well as a whole, with Josh Bingham bringing home some standout performances across competitions.
“[Bingham] is always leading the goal race,” Hegarty said.
“He scored 14 goals in 13 consecutive games.
“He’s been putting us back in play, and making it count.
“We base ourselves on a team philosophy, a team structure.
“The people playing and the people not playing, keeping a positive attitude all round is important.
“It’s been a big team effort… it’s an even tougher effort now.”
Hegarty said the team has one goal for all three competitions, which will hopefully come to fruition once play is allowed.
“Obviously, our goal is to win them all,” he said.
“The realisation is that that’s very difficult to do.
“We’re very much in the mindset to take each game as they come.
“We want to be in the moment, and perform the same way in every comp.”
With restrictions permitting, Hume City will resume ots regular NPL season, and will get to face Port Melbourne for the chance at the Dockerty Cup final.
Their first match in the FFA Cup is scheduled for Wednesday, August 11.
