Wollongong Olympic coach Rob Birkin heaped praise on his beaten troops and lauded the 2016 season as a success following their disappointing 1-0 loss to Kemblawarra Fury in Sunday’s preliminary final.
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Olympic had already avoided elimination finals twice in the final series, but fell just short of sealing a remarkable grand final return.
However, Birkin was adamant his club should look back on the campaign proudly.
“We were very unlucky in the preseason and felt with our form we could have won that. And then we ran in the top-five, we won the Bampton Cup and were a step away from the grand final so it was a massive success,” he said.
“The boys should be very proud.”
In the youth grade final, Woonona Sharks scored late in normal time before beating Bulli 3-1 in extra time. In District League, Champions Corrimal Rangers went out backwards after falling 1-0 to Fernhill.