By Michael Djordjieski

Tuggeranong United coach Mitch Stevens is hopeful of guiding the club back to the top four for the first time since 2003 and put Tuggeranong back on the Men’s footballing map.

United currently sit in fourth place with 23 points on the Capital Football NPL ladder, but their spot inside the top four isn’t guaranteed and only two games remain this season.

Although nothing is set in stone, Stevens spoke about the huge implications a finals appearance would make on the region.

“For such a long time the top four has been a pipe dream,” Stevens said.

“It would be a huge boost for the community at large, which would say that southern Canberra is back on the map.

“It’s a place to become a better footballer because I back the culture and the training ethic.

“That’s when young players certainly start looking up and go oh right it does happen here, it’s not just talk.”

The race to finish third and fourth is down to a three-horse race, with Tuggeranong sitting fourth heading into today’s match; a point behind Belconnen United and a point ahead of Tigers FC.

A win today would be a huge step in locking up a spot in the four.

It’s a situation that Stevens and his team have been preparing for come the end of the campaign.

“This is why you train all year for,” Steven said.

“You want to be involved at this time of the year with these sorts of games knowing you have a chance.

“We are hoping to break that duck and make finals for the first time in a long time.”

United ended a four-game winless stretch by beating Gungahlin United 2-1 in round 15, which instilled some much-needed confidence down the business end of the campaign.

Coming off a bye in the previous round, Stevens’ outfit will take to the pitch at Greenway Enclosed today against the Monaro Panthers, who coincidently ended Tuggeranong’s finals hopes last year in the final round.

“We stand here now looking at Monaro saying well this is an absolutely vital three points if we are going to make finals,” Stevens mentioned.

“We are up against the same opposition and I don’t think that I’ll need to remind the guys that were here last year of the importance to not underestimate any team.”

After starting the season excellently with four wins from four and sitting top of the league, the side wavered having had personnel move in and out throughout the season.

Stevens has had 13 players miss five games or more during the campaign, but this has paved the way for youngsters Matt King and Jakeb Wiseman taking their opportunity at first-grade level.

King, 17, is a Tuggeranong junior who has come up through the club ranks and his talent was spotted right away.

“I saw a guy that had the potential to be an outstanding centre back,” Stevens said.

“He hasn’t even turned 18 yet, so for me he has to be one of the best young players in Canberra at that position.”

Wiseman made the move to Tuggeranong from Gungahlin during the transfer window after Stevens lost Rory Larkin, who headed overseas and Tom Barton (still apart of the squad) due to university commitments.

The shot stopper was Tuggeranong’s hero two weeks ago after producing an injury time penalty save to confirm the victory against his former side.

“Young Jakeb is an outstanding young goalkeeper, like this kid is good,” Steven said.

“I hope the right people are watching him whether it be National Youth League or beyond because his distribution is as good as that of any in the competition.

“He has a great attitude, he’s agile, he’s a great teammate, and he is what you want in a footballer coming in.”

Despite all the obstacles that the team have come across in this campaign, Stevens draws on his main core of players as the reason why his team currently sit inside the top three.

“Whether it be Regan Walsh, Shane Murray, Andrew Slavich, Jono Turek or Aisosa Ihegie, those guys have all been really impressive,” Stevens said.

“They’ve been brilliant for me from day one of preseason to today and it has really driven results to get the club where they are now.”