Often lauded for his defensive performances, O’Connor Knights centre-back Lachlan Fields produced an attacking masterclass from the back, as the club reached the Australia Cup for the first time.
Having picked up the Man of the Match award for his endeavours against Monaro Panthers, Fields has contributed to O’Connor’s passage into the Round of 32 stage, an opportunity that for many footballers in Canberra, represents the pinnacle of their career.
“I think it’s huge, to have the opportunity to represent the ACT on the national stage,” he said. “Who knows what can happen, Canberra teams have done well before, so I don’t see why we can’t do the same thing.”
In a match that saw the Knights comfortably dispatch their opponents 4-2, Fields claimed two assists, highlighted by a marauding run through a helpless Panthers defence, to set up Jackson Paesler for the second time in the match.
The contest turned out to be both a performance and an occasion that will live long in the defender’s memory.
“I think individually it was a really good game, but in terms of moments of the team, [it’s the] best game I’ve ever been involved in,” Fields enthused. “We lost in the final last year, and I think that really hurt, and yeah, being able to beat Monaro like that and then now [going] in the round of 32… that’s huge, it’s something I’ve always wanted to do, so yeah very proud.”
From a player’s perspective, the final was typically tension-filled and physical, although it was what Fields credits as his side’s togetherness, that got them over the line.
“Yeah, it was physical,” he said. “The ref was good, she let some things go which was nice.
“When we conceded in the first half, I’ll be honest I was a bit worried, but we stuck together and getting that goal just before half time was perfect, and from there I always had faith in the boys.”
Having tasted defeat against Canberra Croatia in their most recent final experience, Fields says that the experience of competing in such a high-stakes environment allowed for the squad to adapt into a more capable outfit.
“I think we’re a pretty young team and when you’re in those games the small details really matter,” he explained. “I think we probably saw today that we had opportunities, and we took them, and that just really changes the game, it takes the pressure off us.
“I think last year we were unlucky; I think we deserved maybe to win, but we definitely learned from last time and it’s a much better feeling now.”
After a crushing loss to Monaro in the league a week before the final, the O’Connor squad were instructed by the coaching staff to right the wrongs that occurred in that Round 9 encounter.
“I think Monaro played well last week but I think we also let ourselves down and we let them in early [with] three goals, and then from there it’s their game to dictate,” Fields said. “So, I think the message today was just make sure we don’t go down early, sort of grow into the game, and once we got that first goal yeah anyone’s game, but we felt like we were in the hot seat.”
After such a dominant display in a final no less, Fields has belief that this squad can match it with the best in the country.
“I honestly think the sky’s the limit,” he said. “I know people might not pick us as a big club nationally, but I think we’ve got a lot of players that have got great skill, great technical ability, but the most important thing is as a team, we really love each other, we really want to work for each other so I think in a cup game that’s what matters the most, the passion, the fight, so we’ll see what we can do.”
Words: Sam Watson
