This time last year, Tyson Holmes and Dion Kirk were celebrating championship glory with South Melbourne FC.
Come Sunday, the pair will have the opportunity to win back-to-back championships, albeit via Bentleigh’s first league title.
The duo traded blue for green following the conclusion of the 2014 NPL Victoria campaign, and after a season at Kingston Heath, both will be competing against their former employers in Sunday’s Grand Final.
“Obviously it’s a great spectacle for the club and it’s a great achievement for the club to make our second grand final in three years,” Holmes said. “I’m really looking forward to it.”
The attacking midfielder has been an integral component of John Anastasiadis’ outfit throughout 2015.
The number 10 has found the back of the net five times across 27 appearances for the Greens this year, contributing many more assists and other goal involvements.
Once a fan favourite at South Melbourne, Holmes conceded Sunday’s date at Lakeside Stadium would prove an unusual experience.
“It’s pretty ironic that the first season I spend away from them [South Melbourne] I’m now about to face them in the Grand Final,” he said.
“There’s a lot more on the line then just for myself playing against South.
“I really want to achieve Bentleigh’s first major trophy. If it means I’ve got to beat my old club South, then so be it. I’m obviously going to be doing everything in my power to bring success to Bentleigh. “
Kirk, 21, enjoyed a number of stints throughout Bentleigh’s first XI in 2015.
After spending a large part of the 2014 season competing for a spot in South’s star-studded midfield, the South Australian made the switch to Kingston Heath in search of more first team football.
Returning 16 starts from 22 appearances in 2015, Adelaide United’s former youth skipper has been deployed in various roles across the midfield and back four.
“It’s been a good year,” Kirk said. “I’ve been given the opportunity to play a couple of positions and develop as a player.
“It’s a great environment to push to the next level.”
Kirk was utilized as on the right-hand side of defence when the two sides last met in June, displaying a strong performance as the Greens triumphed 1-0 at Lakeside Stadium.
Returning to his former stomping ground once again, the versatile midfielder-come-defender says he is looking forward to the challenge.
“I’m feeling quite excited,” he said ahead of Sunday’s final. “The build up to a grand final is always exciting, although no nerves have kicked in just yet.”
Holmes and Kirk admitted Bentleigh’s form over South Melbourne this year – earning four points of from a possible six – would provide their team confidence booster on the day, though past results mean nothing in the nature of finals.
“It is [good] but finals football counts for nothing, especially playing against South Melbourne at south Melbourne,” Holmes said.
“I know their crowds are going to be huge and it’s going to be like their 12th man. What happened earlier on in the season counts for absolutely nothing on Sunday and I think you’ll see that from the outset.”
“We’ve just go to go in with the mindset of being confident and confident in what we do and hopefully at the end of the 90 minutes the result will be determined with Bentleigh as champions.”
Sharing the same sentiments, Kirk expressed that the occasion won’t change how his squad would approach the game.
“They (South) are in the same situation as us so they will come out and play to win. It will be a tough game, no game has been easy this year, it’s just another cup final,” he said.
“We don’t need anymore motivation for these games. JA (Anastasiadis) told us early in the season to treat every game like a cup final and that’s how we’ve been preparing each week.”
Both players also admitted former teammates at Lakeside had exchanged pleasantries ahead of the blockbuster clash.
“I’ve been in contact with a couple of them and there has been a bit of banter,” Kirk said.
“It’s nice to meet them in the final, I still keep in touch with a few of the boys and no doubt the fans will make a great atmosphere.”
Holmes added: “I’ve been in a bit of contact with a few of the old South boys, we’ve remained in pretty close contact throughout the year.”
“I speak to a few of them a couple of times a week and we’ve had a few chats but I reckon in the day or two leading into the game we probably wont speak to each other.”