It’s been sixteen long years since the Swan Hill Soccer Club last tasted premiership success – but that may all be about to change this weekend, as the club’s Men’s team does battle in Sunday’s Bendigo Amateur Soccer League (BASL) Division 2 League Cup Grand Final.
The Swans have been one of the stories of the season so far, having gone undefeated throughout their first 13 games (eleven wins, two draws) and finding themselves on top of both the League Cup and Division 2 home-and-away season ladders.
2006 was the last time Swan Hill brought home the silver wear, with the Men’s team winning the BASL Division 2 Knockout Cup against Epsom FC. While a lot has changed over the past sixteen seasons for the Swan Hill Soccer Club, there has however been one constant, with club stalwart Tony Di Palma having coached the 2006 side to premiership glory.
Di Palma will be hoping lightning strikes twice for the Swans on Sunday afternoon, as he once again leads his team into battle, this time against the Deniliquin Wanderers – with the Swan Hill coach hopeful of a strong showing from his team when speaking with The Guardian earlier this week.
“It’s been a long time since we’ve won a Grand Final, so it’s great that we’ve given ourselves the opportunity to rectify that this weekend,” Di Palma said.
“At the moment it’s all about getting the boys fit, healthy and staying focused – hopefully we can put on a good show for everyone and get the job done.”
“In saying that, we’re not going to be taking this game lightly – we have to be focused on what we need to do because we just don’t know what Deniliquin are going to bring, they’re a quality outfit and will certainly be tough to beat, so our boys will need to be at their absolute best to get the job done.”
While 2006 may have been the Swans’ last taste of success, the Division 2 Men’s team has been on the cusp of glory in recent times, with their last Grand Final appearance in the 2019 BASL Division 2 decider. The result that day was a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat at the hands of Shepparton United, in a game that went all the way down to the final minutes.
It appeared as though the drought may have been broken after a 73rd minute strike from Tyson Fox put Swan Hill in front, only for Shepparton United to respond six minutes later with a penalty to level the scores – and then go in front in the 85th minute of the game and break the hearts of those in light blue.
Two players who will be out to avenge that result on Sunday will be their captain Cooper Fox, who led the Swans that day along with goal keeper Riley McCosh. But with many new players coming into the club over the preceding three years, Swan Hill will enter Sunday’s game with no fear – and comfortable in the knowledge that their best football will beat anyone, according to Di Palma.
“Cooper (Fox), as the captain, has really instilled the right attitude into this team, which has flowed through the whole playing squad,” Di Palma said.
“In saying that though, everyone has stepped up and improved as the season’s progressed in both quality and want to win the ball – it’s a simple game at times, if you can be first to the ball, that means you win games because you’re able to control the contest.”
“I think everyone’s thinking we have a chance here, even though we might have a few older players than them (Deniliquin), that doesn’t really matter, because the team as a whole is playing together and playing as a team.”
“I think the older boys are getting more comfortable as the season’s progressing, because when you’re playing in a team that plays for each other, then you learn to play your role a lot quicker and I think we’re playing a style of football that’s enabling us to win games.”
Swan Hill knows their opposition well, despite this being the Deniliquin Wanderers first season in since moving into the BASL Division 2 competition – with the Swans having played the Wanderers three times for three wins.
Despite their record, Di Palma and his team will be taking no chances come Sunday and are expecting yet another tough encounter against a very tough and skilful team.
“They’ll pose a challenge, this is their first year in the competition and I think their out to prove something,” Di Palma said.
“They’re a good team and they’ll be out there to win it as well – even though we’ve beaten them a couple of times this season, they’ve put on a good show.”
