It’s been an unforgettable National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s season for 20-year-old entertaining attacker midfielder Jaden Casella who has had a breakout season for the 2020 Premiers and is sure to be one to watch out for at this Sunday’s epic Grand Final against Sydney United 58 held at Marconi Stadium.

The former Sutherland Sharks and Western Sydney Wanderers youth star has sent many chins wagging with his performances in the Red and Black this year following his move back to Sydney after the young gun spent some time with Spanish outfit Mislata CF before COVID hit and that paved the way to signing with Rockdale.

“It turned out to be a great season for me.

“Due to COVID, I had to come back from playing overseas in Spain and was fortunate enough to have been given the chance to restart the football season with Rockdale Ilinden which has been a great experience.

“The boys have had a very eye-catching season and it has just been great being a part of it all.”

Casella, who managed to score three goals this year, became one of Steve Zoric’s game changers with the youngster rising to the challenge and occasion with the aim of playing as many matches as possible during the rebooted season.

“I knew from the beginning that there would be a lot of pressure on the coaches in regards to choosing the squad.

“That in itself was going to be a challenge to start matches as all the boys put in 110% at training.

“However this motivated me more to work hard and to do my best to be noticed.”

And notice they did, part of Rockdale’s memorable 2020 season saw the club lift its first piece of NPL NSW Men’s silverware, something Casella was very proud to have been a part of.

“I never doubted the boys into having such a great season.

“Despite the shorter rounds and changes to the competition, we took this league very seriously and constantly pushed each other to play the best we can.

“I think personally looking back at it all, that is why we got to the position we are in today, but it is always a great feeling to win a Premiership.”

There were no signs of a Premiership hangover as Rockdale asserted its authority from the get go knocking out rivals Sydney Olympic 3-0 last Saturday evening in the crucial semi-final clash that booked their ticket to the big dance with Casella scoring the third and final goal of the match.

“The Semi-Final against Sydney Olympic was our best performance of the season.

“Yes it is always good to get on the score-sheet but what was so great about that match is that every single player had a great performance and we all worked together to grab a well-deserved spot into this Sunday’s Grand Final.”

Standing in Casella and the club’s way will be iconic Australian club Sydney United 58 who will pose a major threat with Anthony Crea’s men looking to spoiling Rockdale’s party.

“This Sunday’s Final will be a tough match – of course it’s the biggest game of the year for both teams, Sydney United 58 obviously have had a great season as well so it won’t be easy.

“The last time we played each other was in round 10 where we grabbed a point away from home but this Sunday I am more than confident that we will pull off another 5-star performance hopefully to see us lift the trophy for the club and our fans.”

Don’t forget you can catch all the drama and excitement of this crucial NPL NSW Men’s Grand-Final clash exclusive only to NPL.TV, download the APP or register online today.

The mobile apps are available for iOS and Android mobile devices and allow for connectivity to TV’s via Apple TV and Chromecast.

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Newly crowned National Premier League NSW Men’s Premiers Rockdale Illinden have had a rebooted season to remember for the ages as the club scooped its first ever piece of NPL silverware.

Leading the charge in Rockdale’s stunning season has been debutant senior coach Steve Zoric who too was elated with how his first season as first team coach unfolded.

After winning the 2020 NPL NSW Men’s Premiership in thrilling circumstances on the final day of play against the North Shore Mariners last weekend, the former Rockdale youth coach has set his sights firmly on their massive semi-final clash against staunch rivals Sydney Olympic this Saturday evening at the Ilinden Sports Centre.

“This weekend I am expecting a blockbuster match with both teams filled with quality across the park.

“Sydney Olympic are a very experienced and accomplished squad with a lot of fire power in the front third.

“My thoughts are that this game will be won on the team that is defensively stronger on the day keeping in mind that midfield control will also contribute to who will be successful in getting to the Grand Final.

“Even though this will go down to the wire, I have great confidence in that we have shown enough ability and character to win this game and earn a spot in the main dance.”

One player that has certainly turned it on has been the club’s legendary marksman Alec Urosevski.

Originally, Urosevski was set to miss out on the rebooted season after stating he wanted to concentrate on his family baking business but couldn’t resist the temptation in helping his boys out in what has been a big year for the ex-Sydney FC Youth player.

Zoric who played youth football with Sydney United during the NSL as well as playing in the NPL with Manly Warringah Dolphins, Macarthur Rams and the Suns, paid tribute to his prolific goalscorer and the important role he played with the nucleus of the entire Rockdale squad.

“The greatest thing about Uro and the entire squad is that they are beautiful human beings that are humble. All the experienced players along with Uro are very nurturing for the younger players coming through.

“The dressing room is fantastic and players like Uro are key to providing a family type environment within it.

“Uro has had a very difficult year due to COVID-19 affecting the family business and difficulty in balancing the business, family and football.

“Initially, Urosevski could not commit 100% due to the added load in working the business and having a young family but his passion for football, club and community ensured that he would again take part which he has been instrumental to the clubs success this season.

“As a coach, it’s has been an honour to work with a player of his ability and drive to always, even with his achievements, in improving his game. He is a coach’s delight.

“His presence in the dressing room and on the park is phenomenal.”

The ambitious 46-year-old coach stated that it was the club’s push in creating a legacy in late 2019 that boosted the team’s drive to win every match at all costs even when the football lockdown took shape.

“When we commenced this journey in late 2019 during pre-season, we all always spoke about creating a legacy at the club.

“Legacy and giving the Club and Community the Premiership which it deserves was the main motivation.

“It was a perfect mixture of players and coaching staff that have come together in really being motivated to produce something special for the club.

“The main principles that we focused on to deliver this Legacy were Defensively, Possession and Mental Fitness.

“Defensively, we needed to ensure that we improved defensively as a team and ensured that our transition into defence was quick and structured.

“Possession, that we maintain possession and stay structure during this phase of play for long periods of time as a measure to prevent counter attacks

“Mental Fitness, we focused in this area so that we slowly build a culture of a winning mentality which has been on display during the last three weeks in closing out the Premiership

“In addition, we have started instilling our philosophy, but the most pleasing aspect is that we still have much more improvement and there is still a long way to go in fulfilling this philosophy.

“The squad is still in a development phase which is putting the club in a positive position for the future.”

Don’t forget you can catch all the drama and excitement of this crucial NPL NSW Men’s Semi-Final clash exclusive only to NPL.TV, download the APP or register online today.

The mobile apps are available for iOS and Android mobile devices and allow for connectivity to TV’s via Apple TV and Chromecast.

Download the NPL.TV app:

• IOS – Click here
• Android – Click here

To access the premium digital pass offer, head to the Subscription page on the NPL.TV website.