Grand Final
Broadmeadow Magic FC 2-0 Lambton Jaffas FC
Broadmeadow Magic coach Jim Cresnar labelled his side’s NPLM NNSW championship victory as well-deserved just moments after they had secured their second double in as many seasons with a 2-0 grand final victory over Lambton Jaffas.
The two sides went into the half-time break at Darling Street Oval locked at 0-0 following a physical first half, and they both threatened early in the second stanza but were unable to find the back of the net.
That was until a 74th-minute James Cresnar tap-in opened the scoring for Broadmeadow, with substitute Tom Parkes putting the ball on a plate for the midfielder after beating Riley McNaughton out wide on the left and cutting in before unleashing a powerful cross into his teammate’s path.
The super sub Parkes then smashed home the match-clinching goal in the first minute of injury time after fellow substitute Jesse Hill had driven into the box and squared in a cross that Ben Kennedy was unable to deal with as the ball rebounded into Parkes’ path.
A sea of red then stormed the field when the full-time whistle sounded as a loud and proud Broadmeadow faithful celebrated the victory with their team.
Jack Simmons was awarded the D.G. Williams Medal for the player of the match.
Cresnar commended his players on their efforts both on grand final day and throughout the 2025 campaign and declared that they were deserved champions.
“It’s a wow-factor for us. I’m so excited for the players and I’m super proud of their efforts. It’s very special,” Cresnar said.
“This is all about the players and their time and effort and commitment. They deserve this.
“It was a tough game. It wasn’t pretty football, unfortunately, but we stuck to our task, and that was to win the second phase and then get control of the game. We changed things in the second half and we were able to get in behind a lot more.
“The way Lambton played made it really hard for us. Our defensive structure was spot on. The likes of (Tom) Beecham, Wilso (Jeremy Wilson), Sam (Kamper) and Will (Ingram). They were solid. The two sixes (Regan Jose and player of the match Jack Simmons) were exceptional as well.
“Wilso, considering he hasn’t played a game in a long time after being away on holidays, he was outstanding.
“The first goal was the crucial moment today. It was a good run by James (Cresnar). He’s been doing that all season.
“Our substitutions too. They were brilliant. It’s so important to have players you can say, ‘go and do a job’, and they do it.
“We’re building, and our next task is to win the Australian Championship.”
The clean sheet was even more impressive considering the premiers were without one of their key defenders, Ben Diamond, but their captain Jeremy Wilson led by example with a stellar display alongside Tom Beecham in Diamond’s absence.
They were also without key attackers Riley Smith and Bailey Wells, who both missed most of the season with long-term injuries, but the depth of the champion club was on show as they made it two in a row.
For the Jaffas, it was a disappointing end to the season after they entered grand final day on a 10-game undefeated streak.
They had knocked off three of the top five teams during the first three weeks of the finals series, and coach David Tanchevski said it was disappointing to have fallen at the final hurdle.
“It’s a pretty sombre feeling at the moment, and the boys are pretty disappointed,” Tanchevski said.
“We’ve had to win about 10 in a row to get here, and we’ve done that, but to fall short at the final hurdle is disappointing.
“I’m sure once the boys wake up tomorrow morning and get over the disappointment of losing a grand final, they’ll be able to congratulate themselves on a good season. It’s definitely something really strong to work with for next year.
“Both sides had their chances and it came down to who took theirs. They are a good side, Broadmeadow. They are undefeated in 22 games for a reason.
“We had to be clinical, and we weren’t, and we had to make no errors, but we did. But the performance was still excellent, and I thought the boys played really, really well.
“It was one error from us to let them in behind for the first goal. We threw everything at them in that last 10 minutes and conceded one late.
“I think the boys know the potential in the squad and they’re all staying for next year, except maybe Topor, who might be retiring. Other than that, we should have the same squad for next year and we’ll look to strengthen with a few additions.”
For Magic, the premiership/championship double-winning players have been given Monday off from their coach but will be back on the training paddock on Tuesday night as preparations for the inaugural Australian Championship campaign ramp up.
In reserve grade Maitland FC defeated Cooks Hill United via penalties 1(6)-1(5).
