Big City efforts pay off double

POWERHOUSE Mildura City have completed their lofty aim of going undefeated through both the senior men’s and women’s S-League seasons.

While neutral supporters may have hoped for an underdog victory in Sunday’s grand finals, it wasn’t to be as City ran out 4-0 men’s winners over Mildura, and 6-1 women’s victors against Irymple Knights to take every game across the respective campaign.

Both sides had already secured their respective S-League titles, awarded to the team on top of the ladder at the end of the home and away season, but were keen to add the grand final trophies to the cabinet.

Mildura United appeared in their first men’s grand final for well over a decade and gave the favourites a run for their money early, before Jasper Gemits and Nicolas Woods found the back of the net to take a 2-0 lead into the break.

Woods completed his brace within the opening 10 minutes of the second half, before Jack Cirigliano added the cherry on top in the dying stages.

Mildura City midfielder Tayler Rayson was named best on ground.

Co-coach Woods said there is a sense of pride looking back at the team’s achievements this year.

“We’ve had other undefeated season before with draws included, but I think it’s the first time we’ve done it by winning every game,” he said.

“Going 12-0-0 was an aim for us and to be able to execute the way we did from a really good season.

“When we look back at what we wanted to achieve and how we went about it, there’s a real sense of pride of what the boys have accomplished, and getting more game time into some of these younger guys has been really important too.

“We knew Mildura United had a massive work-rate and they were going to be hungry for it being their first grand final in a while.

“They gave us a real battle early and it took us a while to break them down but I think once those first two goals went in we felt like we had control.”

It was an eventful start to the women’s contest with three goals scored inside 11 minutes, but City captain Isabella Palamara’s second strike helped her side to a 3-1 half-time.

Lily Pulham has scored City’s first while Knights vice-captain Daisy Sheehan also struck.

Against the wind in the second half, Sophie Lim scored twice and Chenoa Hunter once for City as they completed the big win.

Lillee Dricsoll earned best on ground honours, capping a terrific season.

City coach Damien Argiro said the season came back to the work rate and mentality of the players.

“It was a very good effort from the girls, all the results they achieved are all on them and a really good reward for their hard work,” he said.

“As a pretty young group the progression they showed throughout the season, especially some of our first year players, was outstanding.

“Personally a highlight was our goal keeper Eva Challis who hadn’t stepped on a soccer pitch before, so to see where got to by the end of the year was incredible.

“Credit to the girls, they didn’t lapse in their efforts. They had some big wins during the year and could have gotten complacent but they didn’t, they worked hard through the entire campaign.”