You can listen to the full interview with Danny Graystone on the Tier Two Talk podcast HERE.
After three years of hard work, club transformation and state-wide success, Head Coach Danny Graystone and MetroStars recorded their first win in the Australian Championship last weekend, marking the next step in their club's progression.
“I think the first 10 to 15 minutes, we weren't quite on. A few mistakes that we made there obviously cost us the goal”, Graystone said about his side's start against Sydney United.
“I think we reacted and responded to that and settled into the game, settled into the way that we play football. We probably had more chances against Bayswater [City] than we did against Sydney United, but we were clinical in those moments. I think that made the difference for us.”
The three points were vital for the Metro, who hae been so dominant in the NPL SA since the arrival of Graystone in 2022, having won the premiership three years in a row, along with two Federation Cups.
“I was with Melbourne Victory before I came to Metro, so I was really looking for a project within the NPL system.
“I believe there was a gap to be filled in between NPL and the A-League, in terms of, potentially, an NPL club that could provide a more professional environment.”
Graystone has always had an eye for the future and leaned on youth talent. During his three years at Melbourne Victory, he served as the Head Academy Coach (U13-16), Youth Team Coach & Academy Lead Coach. Hence, when he returned to Metro as the club's first full-time senior NPL Coach and club technical director, he wanted to build a team and club with the future in mind.
“We're about building a legacy for this game in the country, and this game needs to thrive, for everyone to thrive, whatever level that's at.
“So I've been really proud to have a club that sort of embraced that, and in all fairness to them, they've reaped the rewards from that in terms of success over the last three years.”
Now heading into the final three games of the group stage, and Metro sitting outside the top two spots, Graystone remains confident that his side, which has always pushed itself outside its comfort zone, can still reach the last eight.
“It's in our hands. We've got to go into those last two games, home games of the season, in round five and round six with it.”
“If we can go in there with it in our control. Then that's the best position we can find ourselves in.”