Grand Final Preview – State League Men’s

Hurstville FC will take on local rivals and Premiership winners St. George FA, in this weekend’s blockbuster Grand Final.
Perhaps fittingly, the two highest finishing teams this season will face off in the 2016 State League Men’s Grand Final.
St. George FA and Hurstville FC have developed quite the local rivalry, with both sides fighting neck and neck all year in the race for the Premiership. It became a matter of who slipped up the least, and St. George FA held their nerve best.
Hurstville will see this weekend’s Grand Final as potential retribution, with the Championship and local pride at stake. Hurstville will be spurred on by the fact that they defeated St. George in their initial clash during the Finals series, two weeks ago.
The aforementioned game was a tight affair, where both midfields cancelled each other out and neither side dominated. This is indicative of the similarities between the two teams, who have built their success off rock solid defensive units and gritty midfield play.
Hurstville were forced to come from behind twice, demonstrating the fighting spirit they’ve made their own this season. Spectators should expect nothing less this Saturday, in what will likely be a very physical encounter.
St. George will be without captain and midfield leader Adrian Webster, who was suspended after receiving a yellow card against the SD Raiders FC on the weekend. While this is a huge blow for the Premiers, they will happily see the return of star Kiwi striker Sam Messam and talented winger Sean Richardson.
The real test for St. George will be backing up from two consecutive games that played out 120 minutes, particularly in comparison to Hurstville who have had the previous week off.
Coach Manny Spanoudakis says that his players are in good spirits and looking forward to the occasion of playing in a Grand Final.
“We will prepare for this game the way we have prepared for all games this season and look to play positive and attractive football wherever possible.”
“The opportunity to win the treble has not been lost on the players and they are excited, more so than nervous, leading into the game.”
Hurstville FC coach Alex Prophet has kept his cards close to his chest in discussing who will play on the weekend, but promises that his squad will be extremely fired up after the week off.
“The week off was great to freshen up for the Grand Final… the boys are ready to play and it will be a great day.”
St. George will look to young talent James Spanoudakis to inspire his side moving forward, providing a key connection between midfield and attack. Meanwhile, defender Bill Tsanidis will be hoping to back up from a dominant performance against the Raiders in the Preliminary Final, where he was unbeatable in the air.
Messam’s return is the key factor for St. George, with his presence up front sorely missed so far in the Finals series. His connection with Spanoudakis this season has undone even the stubbornest of defences. Sean Richardson is another key attacking player for the Premiers, and scored against Hurstville last they met.
Hurstville’s captain Andrew Harb will look to marshal the midfield this Saturday, and help feed the ball to the more attacking Henry Kamleitner as well as towering striker Marko Banic. Paul Gagro has been another standout this season, providing assist after assist down the wing.
In a game that could be decided by the narrowest of margins, the State League Men’s is set to go out with a bang this Saturday.
St. George FA vs. Hurstville FC – Saturday 24 September, 4PM at Valentine Sports Park
-by Daniel Palmer, Football NSW State League Men’s Reporter