But he is confident Rangers can continue to be an Illawarra Premier League force next year, after sealing their first championship in 46 years.

It happened last year, when the Wolves recruited Takeru Okada, who played a key role in their charge the NSW National Premier League title this year.

So Jonovski accepts change as inevitable, especially with attacking weapons Van Elia and Tomoki Wada on the radar of NPL clubs.

But he is confident Corrimal can negotiate the summer and return as contenders again.

"With our Visa players, most of them, if not all of them will move on to NPL level," Jonovski said.

"Like we had with Takeru, he's had an outstanding year at the Wolves and was one of their best players week in, week out.

"That's very rewarding for myself to see them at that level and that's going to happen with these guys, but there'll be someone new.

"But we had guys make their first grade debut in the semi-finals, that's the way it's been going all year, using kids and seeing them come in and be part of the squad."

READ MORE: Corrimal celebrate 46-year Football South Coast title drought

In a thrilling season finale, Corrimal responded from conceding a first minute goal with a 2-1 triumph over Wollongong Olympic at WIN Stadium.

Julian Minutillo pinched the ball off Corrimal goalkeeper Nic Loe, but Paul Guido - one of the emerging talents in the Rangers squad - equalised, before Elia's penalty put them ahead before half-time.

Corrimal won the league and grand final double in 1973, the last time lifted the trophy and Jonovski admitted feeling the history-making sense of occasion.

"I've been involved in football in the Illawarra all my life and Corrimal was always in the first division and always down the bottom," he said.

"They came up three years ago and to go from where they were to the grand final, it speaks volumes to the club.

"You get the sense of what this means to a lot people at this club, they've waited forever. I'm very proud of the boys."

At the age of 45, former National Soccer League and A-League winner Alvin Ceccoli re-affirmed his desire to play on next year, despite coming from the pitch with an ankle problem in the second half.

Ceccoli said the injury was different to the ruptured Achilles tendon he suffered two years ago.

"I want to play one more year, but it's really about getting my heel right in the off-season, I don't want to go through another year like that," he said.

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