Last Sunday’s NPL 2 grand final win by Kingston City over St Albans Saints at Lakeside, capped off a memorable eight days for the club in which they won two titles and Nick Tolios picked up the NPL 2 Coach of the Year award.

In many ways, Sunday’s come from behind 3-2 win against the Saints illustrated once again the qualities of Tolios’ squad.

Missing several key players including Velibor Mitrovic, Zendal Koukal and Muad Zwed, coach Tolios was forced to introduce some youngsters into the side, who managed to overcome a slow start and a two goal deficit to stage a remarkable second half comeback which stunned the Saints, inspired by the dead ball skills of Slaven Vranasevic.

After the grand final win, coach Tolios reflected on the season, describing the qualities of his team.

“Our squad, I thought from day one was probably the strongest squad in the league,” he said.

“There weren’t any standouts, but there was a lot of consistency between the players. The gap between our best players and those on the fringe or thereabouts, was very close- I think that was the key. We had players who could step in (when injuries occurred). We were very versatile. We had a lot of players that were utilities.”

Certainly the depth of the squad was an area the coach prioritised after last years’ fade out towards the end of the season on the back of some injuries.
Coach Tolios also described his team as a young team, “Which didn’t really know how to give up- we grind out right to the very end” –as Damian Iaconis’s title clinching injury time equalizer against Brunswick City testifies. I think we were one of the fittest sides in the league- we never really got overran by any team fitness wise.”

In contrast, Kingston’s only real rival for the NPL 2 E title and automatic promotion, Dandenong Thunder, were struck heavily by injury, especially to key defender Faisal Sakhizada and Brandon Barnes.

Coach Tolios says the biggest game for his team was the come from behind 4-3 away win at Thunder in Round 26. “It changed the scope I thought that night. We did the job that no-one expected us to do.”

Last Friday, at the FFV Gold Medal Night, Tolios received an award for NPL2 coach of the year. He says receiving the award was unexpected but “it means the world to me. To be acknowledged by my peers (there’s some quality coaches in NPL 2) it’s very humbling.”

Tolios praised his support staff at Kingston. “Without Billy Theodoropoulos by my side for the last two years none of this would’ve been possible. I didn’t see him as an assistant. I see him as a good friend and a mentor. Also Michael Iakomidis and Lou Kastner. We’re mates first and foremost but we’ve got an understanding. We know each other’s boundaries, each other’s roles.”

Tolios says he understands the challenges facing Kingston City as it steps up to the NPL 1 next season, having played himself in the old VPL. “The pace is going to get a lot quicker. You need to be a bit more physical because it’s a very physical league. We know we need to strengthen but at the moment, everyone that’s in the team that got us promoted are still required until we have a proper sit down and review what we’re going to do moving forward. Look there’s probably going to be a time when there’s going to be some hard decisions made on some of these boys. That’s unfortunate but it happens. But I couldn’t imagine winning the league and doing everything we did with any other bunch of boys. They’re fantastic, a pleasure to work with. Always willing to learn and always willing to push each other.”