It's inevitable the memories of the Wolves winning the National Soccer League title will be talked about this week, as Sydney FC head to Perth for the A-League grand final.
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Down 3-nil, goals to Scott Chipperfield, Matt Horsley and Paul Reid. Then the penalties and the celebration.
And Sydney FC have a significant partnership in development with the Wolves, as well as the decider offering Illawarra junior Aaron Calver a chance to leave the Sky Blues on the best possible note before joining new team Western United.
From Helensburgh Thistle to the Wolves when I was playing and on to the A-League it's been great to watch his rise as a professional. His brother Jayden is in the Wolves' under 18 squad this year.
Sydney FC will be full of confidence, flying over with huge momentum after the 6-1 win over arch-rivals Melbourne Victory in Sunday's semi-final. So the large Sydney FC fan base in the region here will be optimistic of emulating the Wolves in 2000, going over to Perth and bringing back the trophy.
But for the Illawarra, there's another fairytale looming for our own Brendon Santalab, who will retire after the game.
Very few players ever have the opportunity to finish with a trophy, let alone a Premiers Plate and championship double, as Brendon could do on Sunday night.
He's had an amazing career, having first been in the NSL for Parramatta Power in the year 2000, an era when the Wolves ruled.
In 2014, Santalab played in a 2-1 extra-time loss to Brisbane when at the Western Sydney Wanderers, and again going down to Adelaide in 2016, so this is his chance to win the coveted trophy at the Glory with coach Tony Popovic.
Perth finished eight points clear of Sydney FC on the ladder, scored 56 goals, 13 more than their grand final opponents, and conceded just 23 in the 27-game campaign, so they certainly deserve the crown if they can claim it.
Santalab scored an important penalty in Perth's thrilling shoot-out victory over Adelaide after the game was locked at 3-all at the end of extra-time.
It's a difficult experience when you've been the best team all season and suddenly facing a shoot-out for a grand final spot, but Santalab and Perth held their nerve they needed it most.
And they will have to again on Sunday, after watching how hot red-hot the Sky Blues were.
A-LEAGUE
Grand final
Sunday
PERTH v SYDNEY FC
Optus Stadium (6.30pm AEST)
- Jacob Timpano won the A-League championship with Sydney FC in 2005-06.
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