GRAND FINAL 2020 SUNDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2020 NATIONAL PARK NO.2 SPORTSGROUND
FIRST GRADE – 3PM EDGEWORTH FC V MAITLAND FC RESERVE GRADE – 10.30AM
BROADMEADOW MAGIC FC V LAMBTON JAFFAS FC
GRAND FINAL 2020 SUNDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2020
CHAIR MESSAGE On behalf of Northern NSW Football’s Board of Directors, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome everyone to National Park No.2 Sportsground for the 2020 National Premier Leagues Northern NSW senior grand finals. Congratulations to the clubs, players and team officials who have qualified for the biggest day of the season. Northern NSW football acknowledges the generous support of NBN Television, the Official Media Partner of the NPL NNSW. Our sincere appreciation is also extended to major sponsor Newcastle Permanent. Thank you to our hosts, Newcastle City Council, for their support and dedication to providing a quality facility for today’s grand finals. Congratulations to all the participants who contributed to a fantastic season. I wish the best of luck to all the teams in today’s NPL NNSW grand finals. Finally, thank you to the passionate supporters in attendance today for your support of the NPL NNSW and football across northern NSW. Helene O’Neill Chair – Northern NSW Football
CEO MESSAGE I would like to join our Chair in extending a warm welcome to everyone attending the 2020 NPL NNSW senior grand finals at National Park No.2 Sportsground. Thank you to Lisa Bradley and the team at Newcastle City Council for providing access to this outstanding facility for today’s grand finals. Congratulations to the clubs, players and team officials who have qualified for today’s fixtures. I hope that all participants thoroughly enjoy their experience and that the best teams on the day are victorious. I would like to recognise the continued support of NBN Television for their ongoing promotion of our weekly fixtures through advertising and outstanding coverage during its nightly news. Well done to today’s match officials, who should be proud of their appointment to the biggest fixtures of the year. Northern NSW Football’s sincere appreciation is extended to every referee who officiated throughout 2020. Your contribution is invaluable. NNSWF’s sincere gratitude is extended to all club volunteers for their perseverance and selfless dedication throughout what has been a very challenging season. The season would not have proceeded without your commitment to our great game. I look forward to witnessing two compelling matches which are contested fairly and supported respectfully. David Eland Chief Executive Officer – Northern NSW Football
GRAND FINAL 2020 SUNDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2020
FIRST GRADE LINE UPS
VS Shirt No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 23 24 Coach: Assistant Coach: Team Managers : Physio: Sports Trainer: Strength & Conditioning:
Name Josh Low Mitch Hunter Josh Rose Pat Wheeler Ayden Brice Jose’ Atayde Will Bower Tap Goora Kristian Brymora Keanu Moore Dylan Holz Liam Spurway Adam Cawley Josh Evans Sam Maxwell Noah Steinerts Mitch Dobson Tyson Jackson Damon Green Shayne Van As Nicholas Curran Riley Tydd Josh Rose Rod Linsey Kevin Kane, Shaun Sunnerton Nathan Fernance Michael Shen Luke Wrigley
Shirt No.
Name
1 2 3 4 5 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 15 17 18 20 97 99 Coach: Assistant Coach: Football Director: Team Manager: Football Operations Manager: Physio:
Matt Trott Tom Davies Liam Thornton Zac Thomas Joey O’Connor Matt Comerford James Thompson Sean Pratt Braedyn Crowley Joel Wood Matt Swan Carl Thornton Ryan Clark Sam Web Terrell Chusunga Alex Bozinovski Ben Martin Dylan Bozinovski Mick Bolch Gavin Wolfe Simon Rutherford Ray Rutten Mick Mirisch Kate Ryan
Match Officials Referee: Andrew Higgins | Assistant Referees: James Cleal and Stuart Hansen Fourth Official: Mark Carter HEAD TO HEAD
ROAD TO THE GRAND FINAL
Round 1 Edgeworth FC 4-1 Maitland FC at Jack McLaughlan Oval
Edgeworth FC Major Semi-Final – Edgeworth FC 3-3 Broadmeadow Magic (Edgeworth FC won 4-3 on penalties) at Jack McLaughlan Oval
Round 12 Maitland FC 2-1 Edgeworth FC at Cooks Square Park
Maitland FC Elimination Final – Charlestown Azzurri 1-1 Maitland FC (Maitland FC won 5-3 on penalties) at Lisle Carr Oval Minor Semi-Final – Newcastle Olympic 0-4 Maitland FC at Darling Street Oval Preliminary Final – Broadmeadow Magic 0-2 Maitland FC at Magic Park
GRAND FINAL 2020 SUNDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2020
NATIONAL PREMIER LEAGUES NNSW GRAND FINAL PREVIEW FIRST GRADE
VS
James Ward
National Park No.2 Sportsground – Sunday 3pm After a year like no other, the 2020 National Premier Leagues Northern NSW season will conclude with the Edgeworth Eagles playing Maitland FC for Northern NSW Football’s ultimate prize. The season was tipped on its head due to the COVID-19 pandemic with the league forced to postpone the start of the season. All 10 clubs rallied together to get the season underway in July and, after 13 regular season rounds and a scintillating finals series, two teams are left standing. In a repeat of the 2019 decider, the Eagles and Magpies will face off again to decide who will be crowned champions. Edgeworth have embarked on another incredible regular season to earn their fifth premiership in six years and 13th overall to mark the Eagles as the most successful club in northern NSW top flight history. After a turbulent start to the season, player-coach Josh Rose took the reins and led the star-studded squad to the club’s lucky 13th premiership. Winning 11 out of their 13 games and building on a solid defensive structure having only conceded eight goals in the regular season, the 2020 Eagles could potentially go down as one of the great modern day teams in Newcastle football.
Edgeworth have stars across the park including captain Josh Evans, who has formed a critical partnership with Ayden Brice at the back, while Tyson Jackson and Mitch Hunter have also been reliable figures in the line-up.
“Watching the young kids celebrate with us when we win titles and games is what Edgeworth is about and that is what drives these young players to want to play for the first team. Hopefully we can get the job done.”
Pat Wheeler has worked tirelessly in midfield while Kristian Brymora has led from the front with 13 goals to be joint leading goalscorer for the regular season.
Meanwhile Maitland have conquered all before them in the final six weeks to produce an unforgettable finals series run and make it to the last two.
Rose will lead his team into the grand final and said the side looked forward to chasing back-to-back championships.
Down and out in the regular season and staring down the barrel of a 1-0 loss to Edgeworth, two last minute goals in their round 12 clash changed the course of the season. Maitland have ridden the wave ever since.
“It’s been a fantastic year for everyone involved. A lot of changeover and disruption early on but I think the boys grew together and became even stronger,” Rose said. “Calling on the experience of Josh Evans, Ayden Brice, Pat Wheeler, these guys have been immense. Will Bower, Kristian Brymora, Keanu Moore and Tyson Jackson, all those young boys who bring lots of energy. It all just makes for a fantastic group of boys to work with. “Maitland is in good form and they’re taking their chances and we need to be careful of that. I believe we can create a lot against them. We have a lot of belief and we’ll go into this game confident. “The support in our major semi was incredible. A club without fans, sponsors or supporters is no club at all so they’re the heartbeat and we want them out in droves.
The 2019 premiers finished fifth and had to do it the hard way to make the grand final, beating Charlestown Azzurri, Newcastle Olympic and Broadmeadow Magic in sudden death finals to qualify. Braedyn Crowley has been one of the standout players of the competition to finish joint leading goalscorer with Brymora and has fired the Magpies into the decider with four incredible goals across the finals. Zac Thomas and captain Carl Thornton have been instrumental at the back for Maitland while James Thompson has had a break out season and will be one to watch on grand final day. Maitland will look to carry their momentum into the grand final while coach Mick Bolch said it was a tremendous feat for the side to play in another decider.
“Coming from fifth place has been a real ride for the group. The old saying of winning breeds confidence couldn’t be truer,” Bolch said. “It is a great achievement by the club to make back-to-back grand final appearances. The confidence in ourselves as a group has grown in the last month. “Edgeworth are the best side in the competition so to win the game that is who you have to beat. “It is their sixth straight appearance so all credit to them. But hopefully we can get one over on them. “After limping into the semis, to go on a run and defeat Azzurri, Olympic and Magic all away from home is a true testament to the character of the playing group and the club. “We will give It everything we have come Sunday.” Will it be the black and red of Edgeworth who make it an historic double and win back-to-back grand finals? Or will it the black and white of the Magpies who earn redemption and bring the trophy back to the city of Maitland? The grand final is sure to be a fitting finale to an unforgettable season.
GRAND FINAL 2020 SUNDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2020
NATIONAL PREMIER LEAGUES NNSW ROAD TO THE GRAND FINAL James Ward ELIMINATION FINAL Charlestown Azzurri 1-1 Maitland FC (Maitland FC won 5-3 on penalties) Maitland beat Charlestown Azzurri in a penalty shootout at Lisle Carr Oval to advance to the next stage of the finals series. In a fantastic finale to a great encounter, Maitland won 5-3 on penalties to progress while leaving the eliminated Azzurri heartbroken. Both sides went into the contest in great form while the Magpies had a number of crucial injuries and lost a couple of players before kick-off. The Magpies would show resilience and it was their talisman Braedyn Crowley who scored the first goal nestling a one-on-one chance into the corner in the 59th minute. But Charlestown were not going to lie down and Kane Goodchild provided the spark off the bench scoring the equaliser in the 79th minute. The match would finish 1-1 at the end of normal time and extra-time, with penalty kicks required to determine a winner. Maitland made no mistakes from their penalties while Goodchild missed Azzurri’s opening shot. In his final season for the club, Magpies keeper Matt Trott stepped up to score the winning penalty and create scenes of jubilation for the Maitland squad.
MINOR SEMI-FINAL Newcastle Olympic 0-4 Maitland FC Maitland advanced to the preliminary final after a secondhalf blitz saw the Magpies down Newcastle Olympic 4-0. The first half was a cagey affair in wet conditions at Darling Street Oval with the sides scoreless at the break. But it was all one-way traffic in the second half with Maitland firing in four goals. Braedyn Crowley scored two superb goals in the 53rd and 67th minutes to make it 16 goals in 15 games this season for the NPL NNSW two-time top goalscorer. James Thompson made it three after a deflected shot in the 74th minute while Crowley turned provider swinging in a fantastic cross for Ryan Clarke to score two minutes later to seal the victory. Maitland will now play Broadmeadow for a spot in the grand final, a rematch of their incredible semi-final clash in 2019. Maitland coach Mick Bolch told the Newcastle Herald he was jubilant with his side’s execution and performance. “We had the run of the game and should have been a couple up at half-time,” Bolch said. “They are games we have lost three and four nil in the past. After dominating the first half and not scoring, we concede a scrappy goal and heads go down. But the boys were on today. That’s our best performance this year. “We’ve been written off a bit with people saying we’re injured but we’ve still got plenty of quality players and plenty to play for. We’ve won our past five and we’re one more away from another grand final. While ever that prize is dangling in front of the boys, they’re never going to give up.”
MAJOR SEMI-FINAL Edgeworth Eagles 3-3 Broadmeadow Magic (Edgeworth FC won 4-3 on penalties) Edgeworth booked the first spot in the NPL NNSW grand final after an unforgettable major semi-final victory over Broadmeadow Magic at Jack McLaughlan Oval. The two teams played out an all-time classic in wet conditions with the reigning premiers advancing on penalties. Broadmeadow took the lead inside the first 10 minutes with Mitch Rooke scoring a deflected free-kick to open the scoring.
PRELIMINARY FINAL Broadmeadow Magic 0-2 Maitland FC Maitland FC qualified for its second consecutive grand final after defeating Broadmeadow Magic 2-0 at Magic Park. Broadmeadow had an array of chances in the first half with Sam Walker and James Virgili going close with efforts but the scores remain locked at half-time. Maitland would weather the storm and, similar to the previous finals win over Newcastle Olympic, the side would turn it on in the second half.
The Eagles hit back through player-coach Josh Rose with a wonder strike from the edge of the box on the stroke of half-time.
Magic goalkeeper Kane Runge saved a Joel Wood penalty but Maitland would strike in the 77th minute with Ryan Clarke scoring with a superb shot on the turn to open the scoring.
The match ebbed and flowed through the entirety of regular time before Broadmeadow thought they had won it when Ryan Ensor scored in the 84th minute.
Braedyn Crowley sent Maitland on their way minutes later after Wood won the ball back in a high area and played in Crowley who made no mistake.
But the Eagles would not lie down and sent the game into extra-time with Dylan Holz scoring three minutes later with a fantastic finish from a tight angle.
Maitland would rejoice at the full-time whistle as they advanced to the 2020 grand final and gain a shot at the championship and grand final redemption.
The match headed to extra-time where Broadmeadow took the lead for the third time with James Virgili firing in a rocket in the third minute of extra-time. Holz again was the hero for Edgeworth scoring his second crucial equaliser in the 106th minute. The match then went to a penalty shootout with teenager Damon Green scoring the decisive penalty to send the Eagles through to their sixth consecutive grand final. Rose said he was extremely proud of his players to earn another shot at the championship. “It was a strange feeling. Even though we were never ahead in the game, I never felt we would lose at any stage. The boys have got that spirit and kept fighting back and it’s an incredible achievement,” Rose said. “The first half especially we played some great football. They clawed their way back and put us under pressure but overall as a neutral it what as a fantastic game of football. “It’s amazing for a club to achieve six straight grand finals. It’s not often you get that consistency around finals due to how intense it can be but it’s the same group of boys and to continually come out on top is just incredible.”
Maitland coach Mick Bolch said his side kept delivering when it mattered most. “We have been playing sudden death football for the last six weeks for six wins a row and that has galvanised the group,” Bolch said. “We rode our luck at times in the first half especially. We were lucky to be level at half-time. “They are mentally strong and I believe they feel they are never out of a contest.”
GRAND FINAL FINALS2020 2020
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POINTS TABLE – FIRST GRADE POS
TEAM
P
W
D
L
F
A
GD
PTS
1
Edgeworth FC
13
11
0
2
33
8
25
33
2
Broadmeadow Magic FC
13
8
2
3
29
16
13
26
3
Newcastle Olympic FC
13
7
2
4
26
18
8
23
4
Charlestown Azzurri FC
13
7
2
4
16
11
5
23
5
Maitland FC
13
7
1
5
24
16
8
22
6
Lambton Jaffas FC
13
5
4
4
25
18
7
19
7
Weston Workers FC
13
5
3
5
21
19
2
18
8
Valentine FC
13
3
3
7
12
29
-17
12
9
Adamstown Rosebud FC
13
1
2
10
11
40
-29
5
10
Lake Macquarie City FC
13
1
1
11
11
33
-22
4
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PAST NPL NORTHERN NSW PREMIERS, CHAMPIONS AND GRAND FINALISTS 2020 Premiers Edgeworth FC 2019 Premiers Maitland FC Champions Edgeworth FC (defeated Maitland FC 2-0 in Grand Final) 2018
Premiers Edgeworth FC Champions Broadmeadow Magic FC (defeated Edgeworth FC 3-0 in Grand Final)
2017
Premiers Edgeworth FC Champions Lambton Jaffas (defeated Edgeworth FC 2-0 in Grand Final)
2016
Premiers Edgeworth FC Champions Edgeworth FC (defeated Broadmeadow Magic 2-1 in Grand Final)
2015
Premiers Edgeworth FC Champions Edgeworth FC (defeated Hamilton Olympic 2-0 in Grand Final)
2014
Premiers Newcastle Jets Youth Champions Lambton Jaffas (defeated Weston Workers 2-0 in Grand Final)
2013
Premiers Broadmeadow Magic Champions Broadmeadow Magic (defeated Lambton Jaffas 4-1 in Grand Final)
2012
Premiers Hamilton Olympic Champions Broadmeadow Magic (defeated Hamilton Olympic 4-1 in Grand Final)
Follow the 2020 National Premier Leagues NNSW Grand Final using the hashtag #2020NPLNNSWGF Facebook.com/nplnnsw
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GRAND FINAL 2020 SUNDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2020
RESERVE GRADE LINE UPS
RESERVE GRADE GRAND FINAL PREVIEW
VS
RESERVE GRADE – BROADMEADOW MAGIC V LAMBTON JAFFAS National Park No.2 Sportsground – Sunday 10.30am
Shirt No. 88 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 66
Name Emerson Gosling Josh Davis Adam Mlinaric Domenic Bizzarri Luke Callen Tom Walker Tyran Cousins James Cresnar Jayden Stewardson Sam Haren Tom Parks Ryan Rooke Jack Graham Sam Modderno Rush Wislang Anthony Tan Ethan Kulapach Lachlan Watson
Coach: Assistant Coach: Managers: Physio:
Jim Cresnar Jake Curley Ian Milne, Tom Trajcevski, Gary McKee NextGen Physiotherapy
Shirt No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 40
Name Declan Crook Brendan Knowles Rex Fernace Daniel Hughes Kaleb Cox Kai Bradley Anthony Wood Aiden Halpin Brock Beveridge Cooper Sargent Ryan Claut Matthew Berrigan Harry Evans Finn Parris Bailey Chaplain Josh Whitten Jack Pandel
Coach: Coach: Coach: Manager: Physio:
Shane Pryce James Pascoe Michael Bridges Luke Abdilla Gabby Aarons-Burton
Match Officials Referee: Connor Markovich | Assistant Referees: Riley Kirkaldy and Oliver Wilcox Fourth Official: Zachary Campbell HEAD TO HEAD
ROAD TO THE GRAND FINAL
Round 5 – Lambton Jaffas 0-5 Broadmeadow Magic at Arthur Edden Oval
Lambton Jaffas FC Qualifying Final – Broadmeadow Magic 1-3 Lambton Jaffas at Magic Park
Round 14 – Broadmeadow Magic 5-1 Lambton Jaffas at Magic Park
Broadmeadow Magic Qualifying Final – Broadmeadow Magic 1-3 Lambton Jaffas at Magic Park
Qualifying Final – Broadmeadow Magic 1-3 Lambton Jaffas at Magic Park
Minor Semi-Final – Broadmeadow Magic 5-0 Maitland FC at Darling Street Oval
Major Semi-Final – Newcastle Olympic 1-2 Lambton Jaffas at Jack McLaughlan Oval
Preliminary Final – Broadmeadow Magic 3-1 Newcastle Olympic at Magic Park
James Ward
It will be Lambton Jaffas taking on Broadmeadow Magic to decide the National Premier Leagues Northern NSW reserve grade champions for 2020.
Magic have scored 62 goals over the course of the season to boast the best attacking return in the league. Broadmeadow also beat Lambton twice over the regular season with 5-0 and 5-1 wins.
The Jaffas finished the regular season in third place and went on to beat the two higher placed teams, premiers Newcastle Olympic and Broadmeadow Magic, in the finals series to earn the first entry into the decider.
Jayden Stewardson will be one to watch having scored 15 for the season and has been influential in their road to the grand final while Tyran Cousins will be a threat having notched eight goals of his own.
Lambton won nine games out of their 13 and overturned a 5-1 drubbing at the hands of Broadmeadow in the final round of the regular season to beat the same outfit a week later.
Lambton have timed their run to the grand final to perfection and have a few key players of their own with Brock Beveridge scoring nine goals for the season while Matthew Berrigan will look to back up his two-goal performance from the major semi-final.
Broadmeadow bounced back to knock over Maitland and Olympic to advance to the decider and have been goal scoring machines all season.
The reserve grade grand final shapes up as a huge encounter between cross-town rivals who will be leaving it all on the park to earn the championship for their club.
POINTS TABLE – RESERVE GRADE POS
TEAM
P
W
D
L
F
A
GD
PTS
1
Newcastle Olympic FC
13
11
1
1
26
6
20
34
2
Broadmeadow Magic FC
13
10
1
2
53
12
41
31
3
Lambton Jaffas FC
13
9
0
4
25
18
7
27
4
Adamstown Rosebud FC
13
7
2
4
35
21
14
23
5
Maitland FC
13
6
2
5
26
26
0
20
6
Lake Macquarie City FC
13
5
2
6
19
36
-17
17
7
Edgeworth FC
13
4
4
5
26
21
5
16
8
Charlestown Azzurri FC
13
2
1
10
20
35
-15
7
9
Valentine FC
13
1
3
9
10
37
-27
6
10
Weston Workers FC
13
1
2
10
8
36
-28
5