It's within reach now, one hand touching the silverware. To put it all in perspective, this would be the first time since 1988 the Wollongong Wolves, then known as Wollongong City, will have lifted the premiership.
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And sure, in Australian sporting culture, winning on grand final day is more important than anything else, but for the football purists, especially for the true believers of the Wolves, it would be an amazing moment.
The Wolves have finished second three times and claimed the championship on every occasion.
In 2000, the fairytale comeback from three goals down in Perth to win on penalties. In 2001, after beating South Melbourne - who they were eight points behind on the ladder - in the semi-finals to earn a "home" grand final at Parramatta Stadium, where they won 2-1.
And then 2008, missing out on the premiers' prize on goal difference but delivering 4-2 against Sutherland on the last day.
So now, Wollongong Wolves stand seven points clear at the top of the NSW National Premier League ladder with four games remaining, another win against the Sharks after the Waratah Cup final weekend bye would push them to the brink of the title.
And that's all Luke Wilkshire and the boys can worry about, just winning the next game, trusting their moment will come, but APIA Leichhardt's draw with Blacktown City handed them keys to the trophy cabinet.
Everyone in football in the Illawarra should be right behind the cause now, with guys like Guy Knight and Harry Callahan, from the Wolves junior ranks to IPL glory with Bulli and on the cusp of NPL success, to the Lachlan Scott finding form and the net at the right time, after leaving the Western Sydney Wanderers.
Englishman Thomas James has been a revelation, scoring 19 goals in 18 games.
Chris Price and Justin Pasfield were part of the 2008 campaign.
Having coached most of these guys, I know how committed and determined they are, and it's great to see them stay injury-free and build momentum when other might have waited for them to stumble. So they're still two wins away, work to be done. Titles aren't handed on a platter, they're earned. If they do, it will be deserved.
THE RUN HOME
Wollongong Wolves remaining NSW NPL games
R19: Saturday, July 20 v Sutherland at WIN Stadium (6pm)
R20: Sunday, July 28 v Blacktown City at Lily Homes Stadium (3pm)
R21: Sunday, August 4 v Rockdale City at Ilinden Sports Centre (4.30pm)
R22: Sunday, August 11 v Marconi at WIN Stadium (3pm)
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