Men’s State League 1 Grand Final Preview
After twenty-two rounds of football and a finals series it has all come down to Sunday afternoon at Sydney United Sports Centre.
In one corner are the current Men’s State League 1 premiers – North Shore Mariners ended the season with 18 wins, 3 draws and a solitary loss to Granville Rage in round 20. They are looking to finish in style completing the double.
The team tasked with preventing that is Hills Brumbies – who started the season with a six game win streak before a lean middle period to finish 3rd with 11 wins, 2 draws and 9 losses.
North Shore Mariners swept all before them in the regular season and plundered an impressive 62 goals while only conceding 24 for an impressive goal difference of +39. Add in the Brumbies who scored 54 themselves during the season for an open and attacking contest.
Joe Haywood’s Mariners have won all three contests this season against Hills Brumbies including their 4-2 major semi-final victory. Grand finals are different beasts though and Brumbies know they can hang with the premiers.
Hills Brumbies are a well organised team that have excelled in their first season back in Men’s State League 1 making their second grand final appearance. They are led by midfield maestro Gregory Giovenali who alongside Futsalroo Bruno Pivato is the engine of the Brumbies side. It is handy that Giovenali has chipped in with ten goals this season as well – to assist the strikers.
Christopher Bedzo is the main threat for the underdogs up top with eight goals this season and will carry a heavy burden with Liam Lawler suspended for the final due to two yellow cards. Coach Joe Giovenali will welcome back defender James Maguire and Wade Giovenali to fill out their bench.
In contrast – North Shore Mariners have their full squad to pick from for Sunday afternoon. They also are used to featuring on grand final day but are searching for their first win. North Shore have fallen at the final hurdle in the last two grand finals (against Hakoah and Balmain) and keen to set the record straight.
They know what job they need to do and what will be needed to lift up the trophy – they possess two dynamic weapons up front in Thomas Bentham and Tadhg Purcell, supplied by a tireless midfield of Michael Cole, Ricky Woodward and Kevin Baker constantly harassing their opponents.
Lastly a word for both shot stoppers – Anthony Zecchinati for North Shore and Jackson Franich for Hills that have been integral for both teams success this deep into the season and may be called upon for penalties Sunday afternoon.
After all the talking – we have a great Grand Final to savour this weekend to conclude a wonderful Men’s State League 1 season.
Match Details
North Shore Mariners vs Hills Brumbies, Sunday 20th September, 4pm, Sydney United Sports Centre
-By Justin Davies
