Grand Final
Weston Bears v Maitland FC
Darling Street Oval, Sunday 2pm
Maitland FC head coach Adam Hughes expects another tense El Clasicoal derby when his side meets Weston Bears in the NPL Men’s NNSW grand final at Darling Street Oval on Sunday.
The sides have pulled off enormous results to get to the big dance, with Sunday marking the first time ever the coalfields rivals have met in a grand final.
Maitland will come into the weekend fresh off a colossal win at Magic Park, defeating premiers and defending champions Broadmeadow Magic 1-0 thanks to a brilliant finish from Braedyn Crowley, courtesy of a Luke Corcoran cross.
The result had a similar feel to the elimination semi-final the week before. The Magpies having to withstand nearly 30 shots from Edgeworth Eagles to win 2-1, keeping their season alive after going down to the Bears in a penalty shootout in the opening weekend of finals.
Coming into this weekend, Maitland will be playing in their first grand final since 2022 but are chasing a drought-breaking champions title. Their last grand final victory coming all the way back in 1980, 46 years ago.
With Maitland featuring in all men’s and women’s senior grand finals, Hughes knows the Magpies could be on the verge of a unique moment in their history but also knows it’ll have to be well earned.
“With the four teams that are there, that's probably the biggest moment in the club's history within the senior space,” Hughes said.
“When you're competing for four trophies across four age categories, I think it's never been done before. We've worked hard to put ourselves there but now we’ve got to be laser focused on lifting a trophy at the end of that match.
“There's a big understanding of our playing style and the way we're going to do things and that set the tone from early November, both in the men's and women's program. We demand high standards and I think everyone's bought into that.
“There's a deep-rooted connection to the area. Even when players come in from outside the area, they're embraced and it's the way that they're embraced. There's a bit of a country feel to that in a way.
“[Regarding the final], I think it will be similar to what all the other [El Clasicoal] exchanges have been. It's going to be a closely contested affair, I think.
“There'll be moments where it ebbs and flows in each team's favour. I think it's going to come down to a special moment. We hope that's us on that side of things.”
Weston Bears find themselves in a similar position to the Magpies, entering the big dance fresh off a week’s rest and welcoming back several players.
The Bears’ finals campaign has been nothing short of stellar, the side defeating Maitland in an enthralling penalty shootout at Cooks Square Park in the qualifying final, earning the chance to have a crack at defending champions and current premiers Broadmeadow Magic.
The resulting major semi-final produced one of the most dramatic finishes of the season, with the sides going to extra time before the Bears scored three goals to stun Magic on their home turf.
Maitland replicated that feat last week, while also securing an additional win over the Eagles in the elimination semi-final. The Bears therefore expect Sunday’s grand final to follow the same pattern as all four El Clasicoal derbies this year: tight, tense and fought to the very end.
After 240 minutes of action in two weeks, Weston head coach Damian Zane allowed his team some much-needed rest time in the week off, ramping training back up late last week. The side will come into the final refreshed, with Brock Beveridge the key name set to return.
“The week off was definitely needed after [the] two games,” Weston captain Chris Hurley said.
“It was nice to get a few of the boys to rest and recover, [with] a couple of niggling injuries which have all passed now, which is good.”
Should they win, the Bears have the chance to break one of the longest droughts in their club’s 119-year history, having not won a grand final since 1995, 31 years ago.
Having also missed out on silverware in the Men’s State Cup and Hahn Australia Cup, Zane knows his side has more than enough weapons to deliver a famous title win. The Bears coach, who was still a player the last time Weston lifted a trophy, is keeping his side grounded ahead of the fixture.
“I've been a part of a few [finals], it’s just football for me,” Zane said.
“That's the role of the coach, to keep everyone grounded and focused on what you need. [But] the significance isn't lost on me. Both clubs; it'll be their first win in a long time.
“I think it's [the Weston club] in a position now to win something and hopefully forge a successful future going forward in the next few years. We'd like to break that duck. Once you've tasted success, it’s just building off that for the club.
“It's a good, healthy one [rivalry]. I think Weston and Maitland have consistently been two of the teams of late that are sleeping giants sort of arising from their slumber.
“Edgy had the better of the game against them [Maitland] but they showed a real resilience and their desperation in defence. They earned their spot there [against Magic].
“All [El Clasicoal] games this year, there's been nothing in it. I don't expect there to be much in it again.
“It'll be key moments. It's up to those players in certain moments and that normally decides who wins finals. Hopefully it's our players.”
In reserve grade, Newcastle Olympic and Maitland FC will go head-to-head for the championship at 11am.