Yoogali SC has put a dominant season to bed with another clinical display in the grand final against Hanwood FC One which saw them come away 6-0 winners.
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Coach Luke Santolin spoke with passion about their journey to the third straight premiership.
“It is an incredible feeling,” he said.
“I said after the game right up until this moment I have always felt like we have been chasing Hanwood and the success that they had 10 or 15 years ago back in Shepperton so today feels great, and it is a credit to my players for their performance.”
The Yoogali side was quick out of the blocks and was unlucky not to take an early lead when Mitch Bagiante was able to get around the keeper and looked to have steered the ball into the back of the net before a last-second intervention from Hanwood’s Tyler Andreazza.
They didn’t have to wait long after that to break the deadlock as Bagiante played a cross towards the far post which found Isaac Donadel unmarked and he made no mistake with his volley.
The Yoogali side was able to double their lead before halftime after Darren Bailey was found in space and able to accelerate towards the touchline before playing a quick ball into the box which cannoned off Bagiante and into the back of the net.
The halftime chat only made the minor premiers hungrier, and with Erkki Junolainen playing the ball into the box Grant Davidson was open on the far post and able to head the ball home.
Bailey was able to get his name on the scoresheet before two goals in quick succession saw Andrew Vitucci find the back of the net before Baginate score his second to wrap up the 6-0 victory.
After the game, Santolin gave a glowing review of the new look Mitch Bagiante.
“Mitch of 2018 is like a new player,” he said.
“His attitude, his desire to perform as a team player and I think fatherhood has had a lot to with that change.”
It wasn’t only Bagiante who performed well according to the coach, Santolin said the way his side approached the game as a whole was a deciding factor.
“They just went out with a purpose, and everything was for a reason,” he said.
“The passing was crisp, and the defending was aggressive but without giving away free kicks.
“They were ruthless, and I think the semi-final where we didn't perform stuck around with us for two straight weeks and sometimes you can overthink it. But they kept their energy pent up, and they unleashed it today.”
Hanwood didn’t leave the game empty handed as hard-working midfielder Brad Clark picked up the best and fairest.
Liam Warren
As someone with an underlying passion about sport it is a privilege to report on the sporting landscape around the MIA
As someone with an underlying passion about sport it is a privilege to report on the sporting landscape around the MIA
