There is no doubt that playing on the grand stage of a Cup Final will mean plenty to everyone who takes the field, but for one player in particular, Monday is set to take on extra meaning.
There will be more than the Cup on the line for Bradley Lakoseljac, grandson of the man the competition is named after, Milan Lakoseljac.
Bradley never met his grandfather but says that playing in this competition is his way of honouring his memory.
"This game has a lot of special meaning to me, never getting to meet my grandfather this has been my main memory of him. I’ve watched pretty much every final since I was about five years old."
"Winning on Monday would obviously be the greatest moment in my career so far. It'd be quite the tribute to my grandfather, so there would definitely be a lot of emotions."
He said that carrying such a famous name brought with it some added expectations and pressure, but that it was welcomed.
"The name adds a little pressure, but its a welcome pressure, I'm very honoured to have this competition named after my grandfather.
[caption id="attachment_11855" align="alignnone" width="611"]
Bradley Lakoseljac in Semi Final action- Solstice Photography[/caption]
He wouldn't be the first Lakoseljac to win the cup if South triumph though, that honour fell to his father and member of the current South Hobart coaching staff Brendan, who played in the first ever Lakoseljac Cup Final back in the year 2000.
Back in those day, Brendan Lakoseljac was harder and tougher than most on the pitch. Strong, uncompromising and an absolute cannon of boot made him one of the more feared players going around. So its almost jarring to hear the distinct quiver in the big mans voice, when he talks about what the Lakoseljac Cup means to him and that Cup final day back in 2000, following Milan's passing in 1999.
"The Cup means a lot to myself personally, but also to my family, the supporters and the people in the game in Tasmania that knew my father."
Brendan Lakoseljac watches on from the bench as part of the coaching staff- SHFC[/caption]
Brendan said he would be more nervous this week on the coaching staff than he was back in his playing days, but he won't be the most nervous of the Lakoseljac clan.
Nerradine, the wife of Milan, mother to Brendan and grandmother to Bradley said Monday would be a very emotional day and seeing a South win would mean the world.
"It would mean the world to me to see them lift the trophy. It would be a very special moment as there is extra meaning this year with Bradley playing."
It's always an emotional day, so this year its just even more so. We will have family in Croatia, Slovenia and Canada all tuning in to watch the Live Stream."
Regardless of the result on Monday, the Lakoseljac name will live on for its import in Tasmanian Football through the Cup. And with Bradley flourishing into a fine young player in his own right, he appears set to carry on that proud family legacy for many more years to come.
[caption id="attachment_11857" align="alignnone" width="623"]
Bradley celebrates with Ben Hamlett after a goal- Solstice Photography[/caption]
Bradley Lakoseljac in Semi Final action- Solstice Photography[/caption]
He wouldn't be the first Lakoseljac to win the cup if South triumph though, that honour fell to his father and member of the current South Hobart coaching staff Brendan, who played in the first ever Lakoseljac Cup Final back in the year 2000.
Back in those day, Brendan Lakoseljac was harder and tougher than most on the pitch. Strong, uncompromising and an absolute cannon of boot made him one of the more feared players going around. So its almost jarring to hear the distinct quiver in the big mans voice, when he talks about what the Lakoseljac Cup means to him and that Cup final day back in 2000, following Milan's passing in 1999.
"The Cup means a lot to myself personally, but also to my family, the supporters and the people in the game in Tasmania that knew my father."
"2000 was a special year, the Lakoseljac Cup was announced and it had big meaning for us at Glenorchy Knights, the club where I was at being coached by Ken Morton. It was something we wanted to win and, in my mind, it was something I needed to win.
"This was something I could do for my family in remembrance of my father."
And win it he did, playing a starring role and scoring two goals in a 3-0 win for Knights over the Kingborough Lions in highly emotional scenes at KGV.“It was surreal as I guess you never think you’ll play in a final like that, and to actually have a good game and come out on top and bring the cup home, was great, not only for my family but the supporters who knew my Dad and who were there to celebrate that occasion.”
[caption id="attachment_11856" align="alignnone" width="582"] Brendan Lakoseljac watches on from the bench as part of the coaching staff- SHFC[/caption]
Brendan said he would be more nervous this week on the coaching staff than he was back in his playing days, but he won't be the most nervous of the Lakoseljac clan.
Nerradine, the wife of Milan, mother to Brendan and grandmother to Bradley said Monday would be a very emotional day and seeing a South win would mean the world.
"It would mean the world to me to see them lift the trophy. It would be a very special moment as there is extra meaning this year with Bradley playing."
It's always an emotional day, so this year its just even more so. We will have family in Croatia, Slovenia and Canada all tuning in to watch the Live Stream."
Regardless of the result on Monday, the Lakoseljac name will live on for its import in Tasmanian Football through the Cup. And with Bradley flourishing into a fine young player in his own right, he appears set to carry on that proud family legacy for many more years to come.
[caption id="attachment_11857" align="alignnone" width="623"] Bradley celebrates with Ben Hamlett after a goal- Solstice Photography[/caption]