For Bentleigh Greens’ Steven Topalovic, Sunday’s Grand Final presents an opportunity for the defender to finally claim an elusive championship.
The 25-year-old was a member of Michael Chatzitrifonos’ young Richmond outfit who, after taking out first place and the minor premiership in the 2010 Victorian Premier League, were eventually defeated in the resulting Grand Final by Green Gully SC.
“My memories aren’t the best of the final in 2010,” Topalovic said about that season.
“We lost 3-0 to a much more experienced Green Gully side. We were the better team all regular season but our young side really showed its inexperience, we really crumbled under the pressure of the final.
“The feeling is a little sour because we just didn’t give a good account for ourselves and it was disappointing to lose so convincingly.”
Fast-forward five years and the imposing centre-half now has the opportunity to amend the ghosts of Grand Final’s past with victory over South Melbourne on Sunday.
Alongside fellow central defender Jack Webster, the pair has formed a formidable partnership throughout 2015, conceding only 22 goals between them – the least in the competition.
“Webby and I have had a great year together,” Topalovic said.
“I think we compliment each other well. He is the organizer and leader from the back; he reads the game very well and structures our back four whereas I am the muscle. I am a little more athletic so I can cover the faster players and sometimes I get to join in the attack when Johnny lets me go on my little runs from deep.”
Preparations have been in full swing for Topalovic and his teammates this week.
No stranger to these types of circumstances, the former Gold Coast United youth says he is remaining focused despite labeling the contest as one of his biggest games yet.
“I don’t really do anything different.
“I just try to stay as focused and as relaxed as I can. Obviously this will be one of the biggest games I’ve played in so ill just try to enjoy the whole process.”
Lining up opposite Topalovic will be South’s goals scoring sensation and former Richmond teammate Milos Lujic.
Topalovic had the better of the striker the last time the two sides met at Lakeside Stadium in June, restricting the league’s Golden Boot winner to a scoreless night.
“Milos is a good friend of mine so I always like playing against him,” he said.
“I’ve known him for many years it’s nice to see him do well and get the recognition he deserves, but come Sunday that all goes out the window.
“He is a dangerous player but I believe if we can stop him receiving balls from their midfield then we will win half the battle. We just have to minimize those small chances that he seems to always capitalize on.”
Given his height and ability with the ball – renown for the odd maraud or two towards goal – Topalovic is yet to find the back of the net in 2015.
The crossbar denied the defender a candidate for goal of the year, striking the woodwork after dribbling the length of the field in a 4-0 victory over Heidelberg United.
Envisioning a stoppage time minute header to seal victory for the Greens, Topalovic said it would be like a dream come true.
“Sounds like fantasy because I don’t score goals, especially with my head,” he laughed.
“That would be pretty cool, but I just want to win in any way we can, there’s no better feeling sitting at the back and watching the strikers put one in so I am happy with whoever scores.”