A hat-trick from star striker Peter Simonoski helped the Wollongong Wolves finish their campaign on a high note with a 3-0 victory over Marconi Stallions on Sunday.
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After failing to score more than twice in any regular season game through the first 21 rounds, Simonoski took matters into his own hands in a stunning performance, which ended Marconi’s hopes of making the finals.
The Stallions needed to claim at least a point to seal their position in the top-five in the place of Rockdale City Suns.
However, they could do little to stop a Simonoski masterclass at Marconi Stadium.
The Wolves attacker, who finished with 12 goals for the season, had his first in the 15th minute at the back post before beating the keeper twice more in the final quarter of an hour to complete a comfortable road win.
"Peter [Simonoski] was fantastic and deserved his hat-trick,” Wolves coach Jacob Timpano said.
"We played well as we have for most of the season but this time we were clinical in front of goal.
"We obviously didn't have as much to play for as them but it didn't matter in the end. We took our chances.”
After starting the season with hopes to make the finals, the round 22 result sees the Wolves finish the campaign in ninth on the ladder.
"Now the season is over we can take a bit of time to reflect," Timpano said.
"There is obviously a few decisions to make over the next few weeks before we can start looking towards 2019."
The Wolves under 20’s side will play finals football after finishing fifth while the under 18’s narrowly missed out.