Albion Park’s Jeff Allport is unsure if he’ll ever coach a squad as good as the one he has now and the first-year boss wants his men to show the league what they’re capable of in the decider against Kemblawarra Fury.
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The White Eagles haven’t played on grand final day since winning the title in 2008 and return to the competition’s biggest stage on the back of an eight game unbeaten run.
But after two nervy finals displays, Allport has urged his men to back themselves at WIN Stadium on Sunday.
“I really do believe they are going to play their best football on Sunday and I just want them to go for it,” he said.
“I am hoping the football community gets to see them at their best.
“I think it will be pretty special if they do. I don’t even know if I am ever going to get a chance to coach a more talented squad so I want them to put their best foot forward.”
After seven seasons without a major trophy, Allport believes a success on Sunday would be a huge boost for the White Eagles.
“I think it will do wonders for the club,” he said.
I just want them to go for it and I am hoping the football community gets to see them at their best.
- Jeff Allport
“I grew up in Albion Park and ended up playing my last Premier League years there as well. Since 2008 it has been a fairly lean period.
“It is a well supported club and we had about 100 kids trialing for our 18’s and youth grade side.
“I think it will do wonders that and moving forward. There is a lot of potential down here and we have got the facilities to build a really strong club.”
To return to the summit of Illawarra football, Park will have to beat a Kemblawarra outfit which has dominated the region’s top tier in recent times.
The Fury defended their League Championship crown in 2016 and have made grand finals in four of the past five seasons. That finals experience will prove crucial on Sunday.
“We have to get over the top of their experience for sure,” Allport said.
“Alvin Ceccoli, with all his experience at the back, and Sam Munro, who works really hard in the middle of the park gives them a lot of experience right through the spine of their team. And they have some good young kids who have come in and done a really good job for them. It will be a really big test for us.”