Nathan Roberts keen on spoiling Mariners’ parade
A club on the rise with a top tier appearance on the horizon, St George City are no strangers to the final game of the season. And approaching this weekends League One Men’s Grand Final, we caught up with one of their stars in the lead up to the big game.
Having had a rough start to the season with injury, Nathan Roberts have played a crucial role in the run home scoring six goals in the last two months of the season. We chatted to him about the season past, the big game this weekend and beyond as we prepare for Saturday afternoon.
Roberts who joined the club in 2020 sensed something was building at the club from the get-go.
“I wasn’t sure where I was going to end up when I was looking for my fresh start, I met with Aytek Genc and Mirko Jurilj and straight away felt that we shared the same passion and hunger to succeed.
“Come the first pre-season session, I saw the quality in the squad that had been assembled, and I knew I had made the right decision.”
Asked about how this season has gone for him personally, Roberts told Football NSW.
“On a personal note my season hasn’t been easy. Started the season with a two-week suspension, then at training I tore 2 ligaments in my ankle which put me out for another 4 weeks.
“So I did feel a little underdone for the first half of the season, but felt I’ve come good in the second half of the season and just happy I can help the team and club achieve what we all set out to achieve at the start of the year.”
On a team note, there has been plenty to be proud about from a City perspective as he continues.
“We started the season well with a few good results & we have been fairly consistent throughout the year. Every single player has played there part throughout, they have all pulled their weight in one game or another.”
And overall it’s been a successful season no doubt. Achieving promotion, finishing equal top on points, and being the first team to qualify for the grand final is something to be proud of.
Crucial to their success though has been how they have come together as a group as Roberts continued.
“Honestly the boys are all legends, such a tight group. You can barely get a word in in the changeroom with all the banter getting thrown around and all the laughter. We all get along so well (apart from at training when we are on opposite teams) that’s just because we are all so competitive.
“The semi-final was just another showing of the teams never say die attitude, could be all that last goal wins at training.”
Looking ahead, an NPL NSW Men’s berth most likely awaits the club and the excitement is palpable.
“The club has been knocking on the door to the NPL NSW Men’s the last few years, but Covid hasn’t let us in. We all turned that negative outcome of last season into a driving force for this season and it paid off.”
But first, there’s the grand final to look forward too and they want to farewell the division on top.
“After a tough thrilling game in the semi-final vs the Mariners, I reckon everyone was hoping to see a rematch. It’s only fair to say that the teams who finished equal 1st together get to go at it once and for all in the big dance.
“We are all buzzing for it.”
You can catch all the League One Men’s Grand final action this Saturday afternoon either at Sydney United Sports Centre or on NPL.TV with kick off set for 3pm.
