Domenic Costanzo will be looking to lead the Marconi Stallions to glory in Saturday night’s NPL Men’s NSW Grand Final and cap off what has been a formidable season for the winger and his club.
Operating down Marconi’s left flank, Costanzo has been inventive, incisive and electrifying, combining a polished final product with silky skill.
Costanzo’s quality was on full show for his goal against Blacktown City in the Semi-Final, which helped Marconi saunter to an astonishing 6-1 lead at halftime to eventually reach Saturday’s showdown at CommBank Stadium.
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“It was something, that’s for sure!,” said Costanzo on their Semi-Final victory.
“Blacktown were the only team we hadn’t beaten all year, and we owed it to ourselves I think, to get one up on them.
“They beat us twice but we did it when it really counted.
“Our team, with the quality we have and with a scoreline like that, it’s always possible, you just have to take your chances and that’s what we did.”
Marconi’s strong campaign was highlighted by some major wins over their rivals, including the 6-2 thumping of Blacktown and a 4-1 victory over APIA Leichhardt FC.
However, the biggest – and most extravagant win of the campaign, came over eventual Premiers and Grand Final opponents Rockdale Ilinden, with a hat-trick from Costanzo helping secure an astonishing 9-0 victory.
“I think it’s always going to be at the back of our minds, what we did, but finals footy is a lot different to the league,” said Costanzo on that famous match.
“I don’t want to say it’ll never happen again, but for a team to beat the eventual Premiers 9-0, you can’t really forget about it going into the game.
“That was a game we wanted, and in the end the 9-0 wasn’t enough for us because they ended first – we could have won 20-0 and they would have still won it.
“That’s a bit of motivation for us to now go beat them in the final.”
And for Costanzo and his side, looking bring back a major trophy to Marconi for the first time in a decade will also provide substantial encouragement on Saturday evening.
“It would be massive for the club,” he said.
“We’ve heard a lot about how Marconi haven’t won anything since 2012, not including being promoted from NPL 2, so for a lot of people it would be a statement.
“As a big club with a big heritage, it would mean a lot.
“My dad played for the club and wasn’t able to win anything, so it would be amazing individually to win something with this club.
“Marconi’s overdue for a trophy, so it would be massive for us.”
Tickets for the NPL NSW Women’s and Men’s double header Grand Final are currently on sale here, while the match will be broadcast live and free on Football NSW’s YouTube channel, with commentary from Tony Tannous and Alex Molchanoff.
Match details:
Teams: Rockdale Ilinden FC vs Marconi Stallions FC
Date: Saturday 7 September
Venue: CommBank Stadium
Time: 6:00pm
