You’ll soon spot a Brazilian starlet struggling to hold on to possession, as a tenacious midfielder draped in the green and gold snaps at the attacker’s heels. 

The Young Socceroo is Munro.

The Brazilian? None other than Juventus superstar Douglas Costa.

“God I would have been young then,” Munro laughs when asked about the photo.

“I would have been 17 or 18 then playing for the Young Socceroos. It is probably the biggest player I have ever played against.

“It’s funny, I didn’t even know that was Douglas Costa until about four years ago. One of the boys showed me and said it’s him and I said ‘you’ve got to be joking’.”

The photo was taken as Munro represented Australia at the FIFA U20 World Cup in 2009. 

He would make nine appearances for the Young Socceroos while also skippering Sydney FC’s Youth League squad.

His time with the Sky Blues would come to an end in 2010. It wasn’t long after the then 19-year-old found his way to the Illawarra Premier League with Dandaloo. 

Sydney’s loss would become the Illawarra Premier League’s gain. 

“I came down here when I was kind of in my prime and I probably should have gone back to the [NSW National Premier League] but I just fell in love with the league,” Munro said.

“I loved the aggression, the nature you get with my team and the teams around the league. It is something I have definitely fallen in love with and I enjoy it.

“The fans are passionate and love it.”

There’s no doubt Munro’s appreciation for the Illawarra Premier League has been reciprocated around the competition.

The hard-working midfielder has consistently rated among the league’s best since arriving in the Illawarra and has finished runner-up on three occasions for the George Naylor Medal in 2011, 2012 and 2014.

It’s coincided with success on the pitch. Munro has appeared in grand finals for Dandaloo, Dapto-Dandaloo Fury, Kemblawarra Fury and now Wollongong United over the past nine years. 

“I think I have knocked off four, but lost the last two so this year I am a bit fired up. I don’t want it to be a third,” Munro said ahead of his side’s showdown with Bulli. 

“It’s a bit special this year because normally I have been at a team that has sort of been on top coming into the semis but this year we weren’t too sure exactly where we are at.

“I was always knew when it came to those games that we had big game players and I really feel playing each week rather than having a week off has helped us find out mojo a bit.

“Coming into the final this weekend, I think we are really set for a big game.”

Meanwhile, Cringila Lions face Corrimal Rangers in the under-23’s and Bulli take on United in youth grade, with all games held at WIN Stadium.