ILLAWARRA MERCURY PREMIER LEAGUE – GRAND FINAL PREVIEW

U20s – Sunday 22 September

Wollongong United (1^st) vs Bulli FC (2^nd) @ WIN Stadium – 10am

A rematch of last year’s Youth Grade Grand Final will kick things off on Sunday as Bulli aim to nab back-to-back championships when they face off against Wollongong United.

Wollongong United have been the team to beat all season in Youth Grade, with the side claiming top spot by 12 points as well as booking their spot in the big dance with ease, knocking off Fernhill 1-0 in the Major semi-final to make their fourth straight Youth Grade Grand Final. It’s been a big season for United, with the side also claiming the 2019 Robertson Cup as well as finishing as runners up in the Youth Cup after a loss to Tarrawanna in the final. The side has been led by a pair of exciting attackers in Anthony Krsteski (19 goals in 23 games) and James Sekuloski (14 goals in 23 games), who have made up just under half of the side’s goal tally this campaign. However, the side has also been defensively resolute, conceding just 14 goals all campaign as they seek their second Youth Grade title in three seasons.

However, Bulli will be out to make it two Youth Grade titles in a row, with the side looking to meet their 2018 grand final success with the 2019 title. Bulli were made to work for their ticket to the decider, with the side losing their Qualifying Final 2-0 to Fernhill before bouncing back in a 4-0 win over Albion Park White Eagles in the Minor semi-final and a 3-1 win over Fernhill in the Preliminary Final. Bulli have been the highest scoring side in the competition outside of their grand final opponents, with the talented Eden Mccall (14 goals in 21 games) leading the frontline for the side. However, Bulli do have a strong wealth of scorers to draw from, with six players having five or more goals this campaign.

Wollongong United have the bragging rights heading into the encounter, despite Bulli claiming a 3-1 win over United in Round 8. United have won the last two encounters between the sides, claiming a 4-1 win in the Youth Cup quarter finals and a 5-0 win in Round 19. While the mystery of a grand final encounter will always throw in a few surprises, Wollongong United should have just enough quality about them to knock off Bulli and claim the title.

Prediction – Wollongong United

U23s – Sunday 22 September

Wollongong United (1^st) vs Tarrawanna Blueys (2^nd) @ WIN Stadium – 12:15pm

Wollongong United and Tarrawanna Blueys will be squaring off for a shot at glory when they clash in the U23s Grand Final.

Wollongong United have been the team to beat this season, with the side claiming the title by six points over the Blueys before downing Tarrawanna 2-1 to book their spot in the decider at the first hurdle. United have been in glorious form heading into the decider, with the side winning their last ten matches and conceding just four goals in the process while shipping 52 goals. Nick High (34 goals in 22 games) has been the star for a United side which has scored 108 goals over the course of their campaign while conceding just 20, however Elisseo Chiodi (17 goals in 20 games) has also provided the side with another threat up front. The side will also be looking to their keeper Zak Bedelovski (8 clean sheets in 22 games) to help the side get over the line and cap off a strong season for the side.

But Tarrawanna will be no pushover, with the side securing their ticket to the big game in dramatic fashion, downing Corrimal 3-1 on penalties after a 0-0 draw in the Preliminary Final. The Blueys have been one of the most dangerous sides in the competition over the course of their campaign, conceding just 26 goals while knocking 71 past opposition keepers. The side has benefitted from a significant amount of squad depth, with 37 players turning out for the side during the season, but players like Kaydin Harrison (18 games) – who made three stunning saves during the Blueys’ shootout with Corrimal – and Toby Drain (24 games) will need to produce a top-drawer experience if the side are to knock off the high-flying United side.

Wollongong United have the bragging rights heading into the final encounter, with the side going undefeated against the Blueys all campaign, with a 2-2 draw in Round 6 overshadowed by a 1-0 win in Round 17 and a 2-1 win in the Major Semi-Final. However, with silverware on the line, both sides will be cautious as to not let the other team press their advantage in what promises to be a tight affair which could go either way.

Prediction – Wollongong United

First Grade – Sunday 22 September

Wollongong Olympic (1^st) vs Corrimal Rangers (3^rd) @ WIN Stadium – 2:30pm

The showpiece of Illawarra football will see both Wollongong Olympic and Corrimal Rangers out to break a more than 30-year drought of championships when they face off at WIN Stadium in the Illawarra Mercury Premier League Grand Final.

Wollongong Olympic are out to claim their first championship since 1985, with the side already breaking one drought this season after claiming the league title for the first time since 1994 with an eight-point margin over Albion Park White Eagles. However, George Antoniou’s side haven’t only experienced success in the league, with the side coming very close to taking out the Bert Bampton Cup as well, going down 1-0 to Bulli in the final. Olympic were made to work for their Grand Final spot however, with the side needing a tough 2-1 win over Corrimal in the Major Semi-Final to book their spot in the decider. Yusuke Ueda (20 goals in 23 games) has once again been the main driving force behind the Olympic frontline, but the side has shown impressive strength on the wings and in the midfield, with players like John Martinoski (6 goals in 18 games), Julian Minutillo (8 goals in 18 games) and Ikumi Saito (22 games) also proving at various times they can decide a match on the flip of a coin.

However, Corrimal are a side full of their own stars, with the side out to claim their first Premier League championship since 1973 with a win over Olympic. Rob Jonoski’s side had a tough march to the Grand Final, with the third-placed side needing to see off Albion Park White Eagles 2-0 in the Qualifying Final, before ending the Cinderella run of Tarrawanna 1-0 in the Preliminary Final after losing 2-1 to Olympic in the Major Semi-Final. The Rangers however have a wealth of goal-scoring strength behind them, with league top scorer Van Elia (25 goals in 21 games) the shining diamond in a Corrimal frontline that was the highest scoring attack this campaign. The Rangers also have a formidable backline, with players like the experienced Alvin Ceccoli (24 games) and Banri Kanaizumi (25 games) helping to form part of a strong defensive squad which can cause any attack issues on a given day.

Olympic have the bragging rights over the Rangers heading into the showpiece fixture, with the side winning three of the four encounters this campaign. Corrimal won the first encounter of the season – a 1-0 win in Round 4 – but since then Olympic have claimed nothing but victories over the side, running out 2-0 winners in Round 15, 2-0 winners in the Bert Bampton Cup quarter finals and downing the Rangers 2-1 in the Major Semi-Final. However, with both sides out to break a long time between championships drinks, all form will be thrown out the window for the encounter and in what promises to be a game that will head right down to the wire, Wollongong Olympic’s extra week off might be just enough to help them see off a determined Corrimal side.

Prediction – Wollongong Olympic

Preview by Cal Behrendt, on Twitter @CalBehrendt