Wollongong FC avenged missing out on the premiership - and sealed a spot in the grand final - with a 2-1 extra-time win over Sutherland yesterday.
The Wolves arrived at Seymour Shaw Park keen to pay the Sharks back for missing out on the premiership due to goal difference. And they did it with their third successive come-from-behind win.
Wollongong will now cool their heels until the grand final at CUA Stadium on Sunday, September 7.
They will play the winner of next weekend's final between Sutherland and Sydney Olympic, who eliminated Manly 2-1 at Belmore Sports Ground yesterday.
Sutherland, who won the league three weeks ago thanks to a 1-1 draw against the Wolves, led 1-0 after a 13th-minute goal by Jimmy Bakis.
However, the Wolves hit back through goals by midfielder Matt Bailey and striker Ilija Prenzoski to seal their first victory over Sutherland this season.
Prenzoski, who scored the winner in the dying stages of extra time, was pleased the Wolves had the chance to earn some silverware after missing out on the league title.
"I think we were a little bit hard done by on the last day of the season. We felt we owed them one," Prenzoski said after the match.
He was relieved his goal - which came after scores were locked 1-1 at the end of 90 minutes - helped avoid a penalty shoot-out.
"(I feel) just relief . . . I didn't want to go to pens (penalties). I wasn't confident.
"Hopefully we can dodge one more bullet if it comes our way."
Wollongong FC coach John Turner said yesterday's win proved the Wolves deserved to be premiers.
He reckoned it was the club's best win this season.
"Justice was done today . . . now tell me who is the premier," Turner said.
"That's our biggest win of the season. In the grand final, if you're good enough, you're good enough.
"I'd like another go against Sutherland. I think it would be a great grand final.
"The past two times we've played them it's been on their ground. I'd like to get them on a neutral ground."
With his team carrying some injuries, Turner worked the changes. Michael Turnbull replaced Justin Pasfield in goals, Alfredo Esteves retained his spot in the starting side and Balla Conde was relegated to the bench.
Esteves and midfielders Matt Bailey and Michael Hawrysiuk took their places in Wollongong's line-up after being in doubt with injuries before kick-off.
Sutherland went one up in the 13th minute when Bakis snuck in and headed home after a clever cross from striker Brad Boardman.
Wollongong equalised in the 65th minute, but neither side could find a decisive goal before Prenzoski - who along with Hawrysiuk, Conde and Bailey were Wollongong standouts - scored in the dying stages of extra time to seal victory.
Turnbull - whose 65th-minute save of a goalbound shot by Brendan Gan led to the breakaway that resulted in Bailey's equaliser - said the Wolves would never say die.
"That seems to be our strength. We don't panic when we cop an early goal," he said.
"Hopefully, whoever gets the nod in two weeks will do the same job I did today."
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