Our draw against Sydney FC is something up until a few days ago that we could only dream of.

Now, the Sky Blues will be playing on our doorstep.

It will be an undeniably huge occasion. 

From the moment the balls were drawn, the excitement and interest around the match started to build.

And so it should.

The game is set to be a massive occasion not only for all of us at the Wolves but for the entire football community in the Illawarra and on the South Coast.

To have one of the A-League’s biggest clubs in Wollongong is a chance unlike any other for the region at present and will be a enormous opportunity for local supporters to show the FFA that we are worthy of joining the Sky Blues on the national stage.

For all of the boys in our squad, it is a massive opportunity too.

With so many eyes sure to be on the clash, you never know who could be watching.

A top performance on the night could change a players life. It could open up doors to a career which might not have seemed possible before kick-off.

That’s why this is such a unique occasion that potentially provides players with a once in a career kind of chance.

For that reason, I will be giving every player in the squad the chance to stake their claim for a spot in the starting side in a few weeks time.

Hopefully the excitement can continue to build until then.

They go to Rio

What a fantastic result to see two homegrown girls on their way to Rio 2016 with the Matildas squad.

Without question, I am sure Shellharbour’s Michelle Heyman and Caitlin Foord will do the region proud at their first Olympic Games later this year.

Both players have been mainstays in the national team set-up in recent years and have become more than just squad members for the Matildas.

With countless strong performances, they’ve risen to become key players in the national team.

I expect they will both play massive roles for Australia at the Olympics and help push the national team’s claims to bring home a medal from Brazil.

From all of us at the Wolves, we wish them the best of luck.

At the same time, we have to spare a thought for Caitlin Cooper who unfortunately narrowly missed out on a spot.

Of course, she will obviously be devastated.

The Illawarra Stingrays gun has been there or thereabouts over the past 12 months so to miss out is a big disappointment.

It looks likely that she will head to Rio as a shadow player and will be waiting in the wings if something unfortunate happens to one of her teammates.

If she keeps working hard, you never know what could happen.