In Goulburn Valley Suns’ case, the champion in question arrived in the form of a Welsh postman by the name of Ryan Hassett.
During the week, Hassett threads through Shepparton’s streets, dropping off parcels with precision, but when Saturdays roll around, he orchestrates a footballing symphony.
Hassett, or “Postman Hass” as he’s been affectionately dubbed, will go down in club history by becoming the first coach to lead the Orangemen’s under-23s to a league title.
And boy was it emphatic.
At the weekend, the Suns smoked North Sunshine Eagles 8-1 to capture the flag on goal difference alone, defying the odds and redefining expectations under Hassett’s stewardship.
A Dante Mori double paired with Marcus Thomas’ sole strike shot the Suns to a 3-1 lead at the half, but Hassett wanted more from his side — and he got it.
“Me and Marlon (Suns’ assistant coach) demanded a bit more from them because it was a bit of a slow tempo, slow rhythm and I felt that if we just picked it up a little bit more, we’d get the game won,” Hassett said.
“We did in the second half, we blew them away, played with a really good rhythm and managed to get over the line with a convincing result in the end.”
Thomas went on to score another, while efforts from Farid Azizi, Kielan Caiafa, Alisina Alizada and an Eagles’ own goal powered the Suns to a seven-goal victory.
Saturday’s shining performance marked a 12-month progression from last season when the Suns finished second in the league.
Then, Hassett earmarked the league as up for grabs.
Now, he can rest knowing it’s in his hands.
“We’re obviously buzzing; we achieved what we set out to do,” he said.
“Last season finishing second, I think second was the highest the club had finished as well, but I felt that we could go that one step further this year and that was the aim — to win it and nothing less.
“We knew it wasn’t going to be easy with four new teams in the league, we don’t know much about them and what they’re going to bring.
“Obviously other teams are going to strengthen and we had to strengthen, we lost a few players, but the boys that come in done really well and the boys from last season have just stepped up even further.
“It’s not easy to be winning titles, it takes a lot of hard work on and off the pitch, but the boys bought into it and they delivered.”
Delivering mail — and league titles — aren’t the only thing on Hassett’s plate.
His primary goal as coach in an under-23 competition is player development and, for the past two seasons since joining the Suns, Hassett has readied youngsters for the cut and thrust of senior action.
The ebb and flow of football has meant some of his talent has dropped down to local level, which he labelled “frustrating”, but for those who’ve stuck fat, Hassett had one last message reserved for his boys.
“I’m just proud of the boys for achieving what they set out to do and bringing the first title to the club,” he said.
“The boys have got a bright future ahead of them.”
