Sutherland Sharks are hoping to claim a premiership and championship double when they host APIA Leichhardt Tigers in Sunday’s Grand Final at Leichhardt Oval.

Having led the competition outright since round one the Sharks finished the regular season 11 points ahead of second-placed APIA and made minimum fuss in cementing their Grand Final position after beating Sydney FC in last fortnight’s major semi-final.

Nick Dimovski’s side will enter the encounter as heavy favourites and the Sharks custodian says his side are in top condition as Sutherland hone in on their second trophy of the year.

“We’re keeping it as normal as possible this week and remain focused on Sunday, our goal from the start of the year has been to win the Grand Final and full energy is going towards making that happen.

“I’ve been there and done it before so I’m not as nervous as last time, my role is to keep the players calm and make sure they’re in a good spot on the day.”

The former Bonnyrigg technical director led Marconi Stallions to the 2015 20’s Grand Final where they were defeated 3-2 by Blacktown City, but Dimovski is intent on setting the record straight with Sutherland in 2017.

In keeping with their reputation as Sydney’s breeding ground for youth footballers the Sharks will field a hugely proficient side with over 100 games of 2017 first grade experience bolstered throughout the roster.

It’s a challenge that APIA Leichhardt manager Franco Cosentino relishes after the Tigers claimed their Grand Final spot with a stunning 2-1 victory over Sydney FC last Saturday.

The former Parramatta stalwart arrived at Lambert Park eight weeks ago following the departure of Michael Urukalo and heavy 4-0 thrashing at the hands of the Sky Blues but has lifted APIA to their best form of the campaign in his short tenure.

Cosentino says improvements in fitness, defensive structure and work ethic has prevented the Tigers from slipping away and attributes the creation a first grade environment as key to the side’s progress during the final third of the campaign.

“The boys have reacted really well, we’ve changed a few things about what we expect and what we want to do as a team and they’ve taken everything on board.

“They respect me and have confidence in me which is a great thing.”

The APIA manager acknowledges his side approach the match as outsiders but is looking to throw the gauntlet down to the rest of the NPL with both Tigers senior teams in the championship running.

“Sutherland are a great side, Nick will have them well drilled and they’re a very flamboyant team going forward.

“We don’t mind being the underdogs – I’ve been an underdog for a long time.”

Cosentino has already signed on for the 2018 season and will be administering various technical positions across the Tigers’ youth teams.

APIA defeated the Premiers 2-1 in round 14’s clash at Lambert Park with Sutherland triumphing 2-0 over the Tigers in round three.

Sydney Olympic won the 2016 20’s Grand Final after defeating Manly United on penalties.

Sutherland Sharks v APIA Leichhardt Tigers, Sunday 12.30pm at Leichhardt Oval

-By Jacob Windon 

Two exciting matches take shape as the Finals Series for the PlayStation4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Under 20s enters the business end of the season with both the Elimination and Preliminary games ready to rock and roll. 

Preliminary Semi Final

APIA Leichhardt Tigers v Sydney FC, Saturday 2.30pm at Cromer Park

A qualifying final date with premiers Sutherland Sharks next weekend awaits the winner of an exciting preliminary clash between second-placed APIA Leichhardt Tigers and third-placed Sydney FC in the Northern Beaches on Saturday afternoon.

With the APIA first grade team securing the Premiership last Sunday and Franco Consentino’s U20’s side hitting their best form of the season over the last six matches the Tigers are likely to enter the encounter as favourites.

The Lambert Park outfit endured a rocky middle third of the campaign and needed to beat Rockdale City Suns on the final day of the season to absolutely confirm their position in the top five but Consentino’s men should strongly be considered as Championship contenders, a label that will only stick further if they prevail over Sydney on Saturday.

APIA have no shortage of firepower as their joint best attacking record attests and boast two of the competition’s standout performers in attackers Jordan Morfitis and Aedon Kyra who have combined for 29 of the Tigers 58 goals.

Centre-forward Kyra clinched the golden boot with another brace in round 22 and has spearheaded the frontline expertly this year in contributing 18 goals. Formerly a midfielder by trade, the APIA frontman possesses the skillset of a genuine all-rounder and will not only offer a direct threat in the penalty area but through a range of intelligent passing in the final third.

On the other hand, former Western Sydney Wanderer Morfitis has terrorized defences this season with his lightning change of pace and ability to dart between defenders. The attacker’s combination play with the likes of Kyra and fellow attacker Samuel Gulisano on the edge of the penalty area has proven hugely successful this season.

Opponents Sydney FC comprehensively outplayed the Tigers in their last meeting in round 17 but since that evening the Sky Blues have stumbled to the finish line. The departure of manager David Zdrilic following that match and first team promotions to leading scorer John Iredale and midfield lynchpin Samuel Mcillhatton disrupted what looked like a strong claim to the premiership and Sydney went on to lose three of their next five matches, conceding 14 goals (nearly half their total for the season) in the process.

For this reason the Sky Blues may be inclined to adopt a more conservative approach particularly in light of APIA’s red hot form of late and a crazy 6-4 win over Wollongong Wolves last week. But the third-placed finishers will still fancy their chances at regaining their early season steel and can force a meeting with Sutherland if they recapture the verve displayed against the Tigers in their most recent meeting.

Elimination Semi Final

Blacktown City v Sydney United 58, Sunday 12.30pm at Lily’s Football Centre

Standards have dropped for Blacktown City over the past month and a second defeat in a week against the competitions most in form outfit in Sydney United 58 would make it a particularly bitter exit for the league heavyweights.

City went down 3-2 to the resurgent Reds last Sunday and having occupied second position for most of the campaign the defeat saw John Carnevale’s men slip into fourth place, setting up a difficult do or die rematch this Sunday at Lily’s.

Carnevale’s side appeared most likely to challenge Sutherland for the title this year but a complacent finish to the campaign in which City have failed to win any of their last four matches has dented their credentials as championship contenders.

Blacktown City’s recent underperformances will concern the former APIA Leichhardt manager however City have proven to be one of the competition’s most canny operators at the peak of their powers and in Mason Ireland possess one of the league’s standout players.

The City skipper has contributed 17 of Blacktown’s 43 goals scored this season and his impeccable timing and eagerness to make runs beyond the lone forward will present a very real danger for United 58.

Despite the considerable threat of Ireland the Reds will enter the winner takes all match with all the momentum and deservedly be favourites after claiming six consecutive victories. The Edensor Park outfit have played their best football all season at the tail end of the season and their ability to employ first grade talent like Adrian Vranic (who netted a double against City last Sunday) to bolster their ranks could prove crucial.

Blacktown will also need to keep an eye on one of their former products in Sam Perre who has proven a superb addition since joining from Marconi Stallions for the final stretch of the year and has netted five goals in as many matches.

Anticipate this clash to be one that captures the intensity and rivalry of the first-grade battles between the two clubs and if would be no surprise if the pair are scrapping deep into extra time come Sunday.

-By Jacob Windon