State League One Grand Final Preview
No one can dispute the fact that these two teams are playing off for the last piece of silverware, the statistics reflecting they have been the best performed over the course of the season.
Gladesville Ryde Magic won the most matches (14) and lost the least (2) on their way to the Premiership title. The Magic also conceded the fewest goals, only 17, in just 22 matches, a backbone of the team?s success in 2012.
Mt Druitt Town won 12 matches on their way to second place, scoring a mammoth 68 goals in 22 matches, at an average of 3 goals per match ? a remarkable achievement in itself, providing entertainment value whenever they took to the field.
The two corresponding league fixtures this season both finished in 1-1 draws, whilst Mt Druitt Town triumphed in the Semi Final a fortnight ago to the tune of 3-0.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers were actually the first to qualify for the grand final, on the back of two successive Finals Series victories.
Having finished as runners up in the season proper, the Rangers accounted for Inter Lions 2-0 in the Qualifying Final, with goals by Glenn McPherson and Daniel Fogarty.
The following week they played Gladesville Ryde Magic, and weathered a first half storm to score three goals in five second half minutes to win 3-0. Shane Ardle broke the deadlock from the penalty spot, with Glenn McPherson and Todd Macrae closing off proceedings.
Gladesville Ryde Magic finished the season as Premiership winners after leading from almost the word go, ending on 48 points and with a resounding 7 point gap over the Rangers.
The Magic earned the right to have a week?s rest, but came unstuck against the Rangers in the Semi Final to the tune of 3-0 despite dominating much of the game.
Gladesville Ryde showed all of their resilience and champion qualities in the Preliminary Final, however, bouncing back to form with a 3-1 triumph over Balmain SC to book their place on Grand Final day. Stephen Lloyd opened the scoring before a second half brace to Andrew McKie booked the Magic a spot on the big day.
I caught up with the respective captains ? Ryan O?Shea of Mt Druitt Town Rangers, and Kyriakos Tohouroglou of Gladesville Ryde Magic ? to reflect on the 2012 season, and what has contributed to their success.
Congratulations to both of you on leading your respective teams to the Grand Final ? what has been the biggest hurdle your team has had to overcome to make it to the GF?
Ryan O?Shea ? ?Without doubt it has been injuries ? we had a 6 week period in the middle of the season where we had only 6 or 7 1st Grade squad players available for selection! We promoted players from our U/20s, and relied on our depth to get us through.?
Kyriakos Tohouroglou ? ?We started the season so well, got in front, and then had to work hard to stay in front ? every team we played tried hard to beat the leaders, so it was a big effort to stay on top of the ladder for so long.?
What qualities do your respective teams possess that have contributed to the success you?ve had in 2012?
RO ? ?We have a fantastic work rate & work ethic, a real quality in attack superior to any other team, always attacking in numbers, and we have a quick reaction time & team discipline to get in behind the ball as soon as possible.?
KT ? ?We are a team, without any big names, evident by the fact we do not have high goalscorers….goals can come from anywhere?.no individuals, a real team.?
In what way has your coach impacted your team?s success this season?
RO ? (Hugh McCrory) ? ?Hugh is a big reason behind our success. He demands respect without saying anything, just having plenty of experience in football, and always looking to pass on the knowledge. Having played himself he knows exactly how to treat the players and knows what we need each week to perform at our best.?
KT ? (George Ganiatsas/John McKie) ? ?Our coaches, George and John, spend plenty of time in preparation, viewing the opposition, working out strategies to give us every chance of succeeding.?
Who has been the team?s unsung hero in 2012?
RO ? ?I?d like to mention a few. Our flanks Carl McNaughton and Glenn McPherson, who have provided plenty of service and opportunities in attack. Justin Kirby is another one, with his endless recovery runs, and strength in the tackle. Actually, the entire team are all unsung heroes due to their combined effort this season!?
KT ? ?Everyone! All of our players have done their job, without a recognized 25 goal striker, it just had to be a team effort to get us here.?
What and/or who do you respect the most about your opposition in the GF?
RO ? ?Gladesville?s defensive qualities. Our 3-0 win a couple of weeks ago wasn?t a true reflection of their strength in defence, every time we have played them it?s been a real contest, and it?s always hard to break them down.?
KT ? ?Definitely the way they play, very attacking, with two top goal scorers, it?s always a good game whenever we?ve played them.?
Finally, it would be amiss of me not to ask you for a prediction?
RO ? ?Of course I hope we can get the win, but anything can happen on any given day, and the best team will win on the day.?
KT ? ?I predict a good game, just like each game we?ve played against each other this season.?
Thanks so much for your time, Ryan and Kyriakos, and all the very best to both of you, and your respective teams, in the Grand Final.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers vs Gladesville Ryde Magic
Saturday, September 15 at Cook Park, Mt Pritchard @ 5-00pm
(U20s ? Inter Lions vs Schofields Scorpions FC @ 2-30pm)
–By Frank Speranza
