Article: Liam Branley 

After only two years in the competition, Wagga City Wanderers will play in the 2020 NPL2 Grand Final when they come up against Yoogali SC at Deakin Stadium on Sunday afternoon (4 October).

After a COVID-affected season, the Wanderers were able to finish third on the ladder with a record of 4-2-2, improving from sixth place in their first season. Coach Michael Babic attributed the successful season to the teams’ attitude and the ability to turn up every week.

“We’ve been consistent and competitive in every match," Babic said. "It is a good league, there are no easy games." 

The Wanderers and Yoogali previously faced off in round eight, with the Wanderers losing 3-1. Babic conceded that Yoogali is a tough opponent but believes his side can now use the loss as a learning experience.

“We know it’s going to be a tough task on the weekend and we are up against it," he said. "They move the ball and are very quick, we need to be prepared for that. The key is finding ways to break them down."

The Wanderers secured their ticket to the Grand Final after a thrilling 2-1 victory against Queanbeyan City last Sunday. 

The match went to extra time after City scored in the 91^st minute. Chaos followed, with a red card for each team in extra time, although a 105th-minute strike by the Wanderers’ leading goal scorer Matthew Menseris (seven goals) sealed the victory.

Babic highlighted the team’s ability to play 120 minutes and winning the midfield as the biggest reason they took home the win.

“They showed a lot of character," Babic said. "You always worry that the team that got the goal all of a sudden has the momentum and you have to quickly wrestle that away from them.

“Two moments of madness, their best player doing what he did to our goalkeeper when he was already on a yellow card, you just can’t do that. For us, unfortunately, our best player on the day had words to the crowd, again a moment of silliness and he pays a heavy price."

There were six red cards handed out across both NPL2 Semi-Finals, but the Wanderers coach predicts a much cleaner match on Sunday, albeit with the same intensity.

“I don’t think it will be a scrappy affair, a lot of the games have been physical this year and I don’t see the final being any different," he said. "Both teams will be desperate for the win and every 50/50 challenge will be contested."

A Grand Final victory would be enormous for not only the Wanderers team but their entire club. After moving from the NSW competition, they were not expected to be in this position but Babic equates the club’s academy and persistence to their success.

“Before starting the year, one of our biggest goals as a team was wanting to give our academy a senior team they can be proud of and we have certainly achieved that," he said. "A win would just be the icing on the cake.

“A lot of the boys we are playing have come through our academy. In the semi final, our front three were all 18-years-old or younger. On Sunday, we will line up with four players who are currently undertaking the HSC.

"The pathway that is provided by having our team in Canberra and playing at that higher level is very important for our junior players to develop.”