As this Saturday’s NPL NSW Mens Grand Final draws closer, Manly United’s James (Jimmy) Oates is locked in as he aims to bring home a Championship for the club where it all started for him.
Departing Manly at the end of the 2014 season, to pursue opportunities in the UK that saw him spend time with both Hereford and Exeter City, meant Oates wasn’t a member of their title winning side in 2017.
However, he admits, having the opportunity to lift it all with the club is an exciting prospect.
“I was pretty gutted to miss it (2017 Grand Final), and if I’m honest, I didn’t know if I’d ever get the chance to play in one.
“But, we’ve been exceptional this year so to be in a decider now is really exciting for myself and the club.”
It’s hard to blame Oates for feeling like that, especially when you consider their route to the final game of the season.
After suffering a demoralising 6-1 to their Grand Final opponents, Blacktown City FC, just weeks ago, Oates and his side have gone on a run of five straight wins, highlighted by two incredible chaotic victories in the finals series.
Now that the dust has settled, and having earned an extra week off heading into the decider, Oates says the team is back to full focus.
“The defeat to Blacktown a couple of weeks ago was a big wake up call.
“After that, we had a meeting and just spoke about just taking every game one at a time.
“The last two games have been incredible, but I think we’ve shown that we’ve just got that never never say die attitude.
“It feels like we’re meant to be that.”
Football, however, can be cruel. Oates knows that, especially when considering who he’ll be facing this weekend.
“Blacktown are a great side, who are no strangers to a grand final.
“We know to expect a strong showing from them, but we’ve trying to focus on our game.
“When they put six past us, I think we were focusing too much on them and not ourselves.
“The last few games we’ve really shown the type of side we are, so if we can continue that it will take us a long way.”
Early bird tickets are now available for the NPLNSW Men’s Grand Final.
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