As the sun sets on an exhilarating season of highs, lows, and unforgettable moments, we find ourselves on the precipice of the ultimate showdown – the Bankstown Umbro Premier League Grand Final’s.
Central Sydney Wolves and Bankstown Sports Strikers Reserve Grade squads will be the first two teams to go head-to-head with the winner being named champions of the 2023 Reserve Grade competition and having their name engraved with past winner of the competition.
Then the final game this Saturday at Padstow Park will see Padstow Hornets, the only team to win the Premier League since 2017, take on Bankstown Sports Strikers who will be looking for revenge after their defeat at the hands of Padstow Hornets in the 2022 Grand Final.
The stage is set, the tension is palpable, and as the first whistle beckons, a symphony of passion and prowess will unfold, leaving an indelible mark on the beautiful game.
Reserve Grade Grand Final: Central Sydney Wolves vs Bankstown Sports Strikers, 26th August 4:30pm @ Padstow Park
Previous Meeting: Bankstown Sports Strikers 2-3 Central Sydney Wolves – Semi Final, 2023
Get ready for a football spectacle like no other as the Central Sydney Wolves lock horns with the Bankstown Sports Strikers in an upcoming clash that promises to be a riveting display of skill, strategy, and pure determination.
When these sides previously met two weeks ago in the semi-final, Central Sydney Wolves won the game 3-2 after extra-time which is seen by many as one of the upsets of the season as the dominant Bankstown Sports Strikers looked destined to go straight into the Grand Final.
Central Sydney Wolves will look to defy the odds once again in the Reserve Grade Grand Final as they play Bankstown Sports Strikers for the fourth time this season having only beaten them for the first time this season in their 3-2 Semi Final victory.
Central Sydney Wolves only finished 3rd on the competition ladder this season, however, due to two strong performances against the top two sides in the Reserve Grade Competition which saw them win both of their final’s matches, they confirmed their Grand Final position in 2023.
Central Sydney Wolves only have 13 players available for the Grand Final this weekend which may place their side at a disadvantage, however, being led by a strong coaching staff and their captain Mayas Hamdan, Central Sydney Wolves are expected to have their same fighting spirit they have had throughout the entire final’s series driving them towards another big victory.
Amidst a mixture of nerves and excitement, Central Sydney Wolves will look to showcase their months of dedication and hard work in the highly anticipated Reserve Grade Grand Final this weekend.
Bankstown Sports Strikers appear in the Reserve Grade Grand Final for the second season in a row as they look to make-up for a disappointing Grand Final loss in 2022 and lift the trophy in 2023.
Bankstown Sports Strikers have been a force to reckoned with in 2023 having finished premiers with the most goals scored and the least goals conceded in the Reserve Grade competition. However, having been defeated by a determined Central Sydney Wolves in their semi-final match two weeks ago, the Strikers will understand how unpredictable a final’s fixture can be and will need to be at their best to win this match.
With a strong record and a massive supporting crowd behind them, expect Bankstown Sports Strikers to play with the same courage and class that they have had throughout the entire season to get them over line in the Grand Final.
Get ready for a showdown of epic proportions as the best teams take center stage in the Grand Final, where a champion will emerge triumphant in a spectacle that will be remembered for years to come.
1st Grade Grand Final: Padstow Hornets vs Bankstown Sports Strikers, 26th August 6:30pm @ Padstow Park
Previous Meeting: Bankstown Sports Strikers 1-3 Padstow Hornets – Preliminary Final, 2023
It’s the moment we’ve been waiting for all season… After 18 intense rounds of the 1st grade competition and a captivating finals series, two heavy weights of the competition, Padstow Hornets and Bankstown Sports Strikers, will go head-to-head for the second consecutive 1st Grade Grand Final as both sides are determined to lift the trophy for different reasons.
Bankstown Sports Strikers will look to right the wrongs of the 2022 Grand Final where a single goal and some heroic saves by Padstow Hornets goalkeeper Mitchell Ashley saw Padstow Hornets win the final 1-0, while Padstow Hornets will be determined to win their 5th consecutive 1st Grade title and continue to their dominance in this competition.
These has not been much to split these two sides this season in their previous encounters, however, when these two sides met in the first round of finals this season, Padstow Hornets scored three unanswered goals in the second half of the match to defeat Bankstown Sports Strikers 3-1.
Padstow Hornets have not lost a game since Round 9 of the competition as they strived up the competition ladder to finish in 3rd place before winning their two fixtures in the finals series to book their spot in the Grand Final this season.
Padstow Hornets are a side that have been together for a long time and understand the qualities that are needed to win finals matches.
Mike Cklamovski, Neil Philippou, and Tom Kovacs have been some of the standouts for Padstow Hornets as they turned their performances around mid-way through the season and hit strong form coming into this match. Look for them to be strong in this match if their side are to win this match.
Look for a leader or two to step up for the Hornets, where a strong defence from the beginning will be a priority in what is no doubt their most important match of the season.
Bankstown Sports Strikers will be looking to finally end Padstow Hornets dominance in the Bankstown Premier League competition with an important win this weekend.
Ali Hassan’s Strikers side is known for being one of the most skilful and consistent teams in the competition, however, they will need to be at their best this weekend if they are to defeat a Padstow Hornets side who refuses to lose Grand Final matches.
Bankstown Sports Strikers showed their fighting spirit and courage in their 3-2 victory over the premiers Yagoona Lions last weekend as they played the second half with only 10-men before going down to 9-men late into the second half. If Bankstown Sports Strikers bring that same tenacity this weekend, we could see them finally lift the 1st grade trophy this weekend.
1st Grade finals don’t get more exciting than this. With a large crowd expected at Padstow Park to watch these two heavy weights of the competition go into battle, expect a fighting contest where one moment could decide it.
