WAGGA United coach Travis Weir rates Junee’s chances as they compete with Henwood Park for the premiership at Equex on Sunday.
“I think Junee will go on to win, they've been the most consistent team all season,” Weir said.
“They’re more disciplined in their defensive structure, they don’t leak many goals.”
He also wouldn’t be surprised to see the game going down to the wire.
“I can see a 2-2 draw, then going to penalties.”
Weir’s still devastated about his semi final loss, particularly a contentious decision which left him seething.
Henwood Park’s fourth goal was the season-ending dagger according to Weir.
From the sideline it appeared that Wagga United keeper Nathan Trinder had saved Marcus Thomas’ shot, and fans were cheering in support of Trinder’s efforts, having jumped left, deflecting a shot from Jordan Buik and then right to grab the ball off Thomas.
However, the linesman ruled that Trinder was behind the goal line, and the referee called the goal.
“It was quite questionable, such a big call from the sideline to award them the fourth goal,” Weir said.
Supporters scratched their heads, asking what had happened and players were just as confused.
“I looked at the reaction of Henwood Park players and they were really surprised,” Weir said.
“They celebrated out of disbelief rather than passion.”
The score jumped from 3-2 to 4-2, and Henwood Park players celebrated as though they had won the match.
The start of the game was not free of headaches either.
The match started 50 minutes late, due to the reserve grade final on the same field which went to extra time and then a penalty shoot out.
“That really stuffed our preparation,” Weir said.
“Even some our top players said they were really pumped, and then for us to sit around for 40 minutes, it put us on the back foot.”
Henwood Park scored the first three goals due to defensive errors from Wagga United players.
“It was probably the worst start we’ve had,” Weir said.
There are just two fields at Burns Park in Junee, and the other pitch was being used by Pascoe Plate semi finalists South Wagga and Tolland.
“Football Wagga need to fix that, especially for the premier grade, it needs to run on time,” Weir said.
