By David Nagel
As a player Pakenham United coach Peter Natsis was a tough and uncompromising defensive midfielder who would stop at nothing to secure his team the maximum three points.
Fast-forward to now and Natsis still likes to win, but he is more content to do it in a style that will build a strong and engaging culture that will keep players at the club for many more years to come.
“I would describe myself as a tough nut that had a win-at-all-costs attitude and that got me in trouble at times along the way,” Natsis told the Gazette, when asked to describe himself as a player.
“I remember playing against my younger brother in one game and I kicked him off the park, I wouldn’t leave him alone…and mum didn’t talk to me for two weeks.
“I just had this mentality to win at all costs.”
Natsis was a very handy player, originally starting off as a centre-back at Heidelberg United in the powerful NPL competition before moving to the Banyule City Bulls and having the best nine years of his playing career.
“I loved it there, the most enjoyable experience I had as a player and the memories of those days still burn strong today,’ he said.
“I was fortunate enough to make the team of the decade from 1999 to 2009 and that’s something that I am very proud of. I started off as a centre back but turned into a defensive mid.
“We had success at Banyule, getting promoted from division three to division two, and it was just a great club to be a part of.”
A combination of work and a growing family life saw Natsis take a break from the game before, ironically, he joined that same brother that he had previously kicked around the park at the Northern Falcons.
His body would only allow him to play a half a season with the Falcons, but his high IQ for the game had already been recognised.
“They recognised I had a pretty good understanding of the game and made me assistant-coach for the remainder of that season,” the now 40-year-old recalls.
“I was very confident about my football knowledge and very opinionated back then.
“A new coach came in and things didn’t work out for him, so I got offered the top job and the rest is history. We didn’t get promoted but changed the philosophy at the club and gradually improved each year.”
Natsis coached the Northern Falcons for five years, before a short stint with FC Noble Hurricanes in 2019.
Living in Officer, and with a young family, travel became too much and Natsis accepted an opportunity to apply for Pakenham’s top job.
He presented a thorough plan to club president Chris Gomez, who had similar ideas to Natsis about what the future might hold.
“I asked the club at the interview what they wanted from their next coach,” Natsis said.
“They wanted the culture to change and for the players to become fitter and to able to run out games and that suited me perfectly. I’ve always enjoyed preparing a tough pre-season.”
Natsis’s first year at Pakenham was largely impacted by Covid-19, with an FFA Cup match the only time the Cougars took to the pitch last year.
But Natsis was already impressed with his playing squad.
“They were tough times for everyone at the club but the players were amazing,” Natsis said.
“They went in and out of lockdown a few times but stayed fit and were always enthusiastic to play. As it’s worked out we’ve had almost three pre-seasons in preparation for this year.”
Pakenham currently sits equal third on the Men’s State League 5 South table, with seven wins, four losses and a draw from its 12 outings.
The Cougars defeated top-of-the-table Mentone, 2-1 in round six, to prove they can match it with the very best teams in the competition.
“We’re going well,” Natsis explained bluntly.
“Our expectations were to bank as many points as we can and just keep on improving, but our whole squad, seniors and reserves, have exceeded my expectations.
“We’re definitely one of the more competitive teams in the league and we’ve continued to set the bar higher as the season has rolled on. We would love to get promoted to Sate League 4, but our main aim is play an attractive and good brand of football.”
The Cougars have a really good blend of youth and experience.
Micah McGill, Zain Ahmad and Manny Christopher are just some of an exciting crop of youngsters coming through, while captain Dusko Erkalovic and his deputies – Albert Mambo and Simon Johnstone-Robertson – provide the experience that can polish that potential.
Josh Green and Matt Winzenried provide goal-keeping stocks, while Dallas McNeill is one of the most competitive players that Natsis has ever seen.
Natsis said he has thoroughly enjoyed his brief time at the helm of the Pakenham United Football Club.
“I just love being around the place and Chris (Gomez) just leaves me alone and lets me do my thing,” Natsis said.
“We’re building a really friendly environment, the vibe is a lot different to previous years and we’re heading in the right direction. It’s a really good place to be at and the boys can’t wait to get back out on the park.”
A recent 2-0 loss to Casey Panthers – the Cougars first defeat since round five – was costly but not a sign that the level of play had slipped, according to Natsis.
“We weren’t outplayed, we had five changes from the week before – through suspension and injury – and it was just a couple of costly errors that made the difference in the end.
“The team that makes the least amount of mistakes normally wins at this level…but with our players…I can’t fault them.
“We’ll just keep working hard to be as good as we can possible be.”
