Stewart hopes to lift Waratah Cup with APIA

APIA Leichhardt will take on Rockdale Ilinden in an exhilarating Waratah Cup final on Wednesday night at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium

Ahead of the match, star forward Jack Stewart spoke on the season, their road to the final and getting redemption for the 2023 Waratah Cup.

APIA has suffered mixed form in recent weeks, picking up just one win in their last five league games.

However, they have continued to prove their competitiveness against their fellow top NPL Men’s NSW sides, with their 5-2 win over Blacktown City in the semi-final a perfect example of their quality.

Speaking on their season, the proud Indigenous star said, “It’s been good.”

“Obviously we’ve had a few results not go our way, and we’d like to be higher up on the ladder.

“But we look forward to this final and the following finals series and will go from there.”

APIA Leichhardt enjoyed a strong qualifying campaign for the Waratah Cup, opening with a stunning 19-1 victory over Hazelbrook FC.

A 5-0 win over Berkeley Vale S.C. and 5-2 victory against Blacktown Spartans FC then saw them face Italian rivals Marconi Stallions, where they prevailed 2-1 to book their place in the Waratah Cup Semi-Finals and Australia Cup Round of 32.

They subsequently defeated Blacktown City in a strong 5-2 victory, and advanced to the final to take on Rockdale Ilinden.

“It wasn’t too bad,” said Stewart on APIA’s qualifying route for the Waratah Cup’s big match.

“We had a few challenges towards the end but now we look forward to playing Rockdale in the final.”

Stewart himself will be key for APIA on Wednesday night, having enjoyed another stellar season at the famous NPL Men’s NSW club.

The winger has netted 11 goals in the NPL Men’s NSW competition and 14 across all competitions this campaign and continues to impress with his ball-striking ability from anywhere in the final third.

However, beyond this, Stewart is a consistent creative outlet both in transition and in general play for APIA, able to dribble his way through multiple opponents with his close control and pick out incisive passes either centrally or in behind the backline.

And for this match, Stewart and his teammates have an extra bit of motivation, as they look to take home the Waratah Cup after going down to Sydney United 58 last year following a gutsy performance after a 39th minute Sean Symons red card.

“It’s big, it’s been a big focus of ours to be honest,” said Stewart on what the Waratah Cup final means to him and APIA.

“We felt we deserved it in 2023 so we want to do everything to add it to our cabinet this year.”

The Waratah Cup Final will kickoff at 7:30pm on Wednesday, the 14th of August at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.

Purchase your tickets here, or watch the match live on Football NSW’s YouTube Channel with commentary from Tony Tannous and Alex Molchanoff.

-By Jack George