Newcastle Croatia striker Jake McGuinness believes his side can cap off an extraordinary rise through the NNSWF pyramid when they challenge Kahibah FC in the Promotion/Relegation Play-Off final at Hunter City Motor Group Stadium this Saturday.
The club's top goalscorer has been there from the very beginning of Croatia’s journey and is extremely proud of how far the club has come.
He has been with Croatia since their days in Zone League Three and he's determined to help them claim NPL Men’s NNSW status just four years on.
McGuinness, who has previous NPL experience himself with Newcastle Jets Youth, Central Coast Mariners Youth, Newcastle Olympic and Edgeworth Eagles, is determined to return to the NPL Men’s NNSW competition, this time with a club he has helped grow from the bottom up.
Scoring 12 goals across the regular season and adding another in the promotion/relegation play-off series against Wallsend FC, he has been a key reason behind Croatia's reputation as the league's high-scoring entertainers this season.
The Wallsend tie alone produced 17 goals across two legs, a scoreline McGuinness still cannot quite believe.
"It was ridiculous and I had never seen anything like it," McGuinness said.
"The win was huge for the club, for everyone that's been involved since day one.
"The committee members, the fans, the coaching staff, players that have been with us from the start that aren't there anymore. They've all played a role in where we are today."
Croatia's climb through the leagues has happened faster than anyone at the club could have dreamt.
Starting their journey in Zone League Three back in 2022, they've been promoted three times in a row and now sit one win away from the NPL Men’s NNSW, all within their fifth season since re-establishing themselves as a club.
“Our goal from day one was, ‘Let's get this team to the NPL’," McGuinness said.
"I never imagined it to be within five seasons but every year we just kept getting better and the drive has never stopped."
Regardless of Saturday’s result, McGuinness said the club will look back on the season as a huge success.
"Whatever happens on the weekend, win or lose, we'll still celebrate the achievements we've done this season," McGuinness said.
"Obviously we’re extremely determined to win and we want to be in NPL but we’ve deserved to celebrate the season we've had."
Turning to Saturday's opponent, McGuinness had nothing but respect for what Kahibah head coach Blair Newham has built.
"They've got a good structure about them, they know how to defend well, and they're a good young group," McGuinness said.
"We've got to respect them, but we can't be giving them time on the ball. We've got to be in their face."
Looking ahead to Saturday, McGuinness had one final message for the Croatia faithful.
"The atmosphere we've had the past four grand finals has been unreal," McGuinness said.
"This is what we play for. The support is a big reason why we have the belief to bring it home and we can’t wait to play in front of our big crowd this weekend."
Watch Newcastle Croatia and Kahibah FC go head-to-head from 2pm at Hunter City Motor Group Stadium on Saturday 5 September.