As history shows, it wasn’t all that long ago that Windsor Wolves coach Guy Missio and his men ran out onto ANZ Stadium with the mission to win the club’s first NSW Cup title.
However, things didn’t quite go to plan on that fateful day in 2010 when they were defeated by an impressive Canterbury Bulldogs outfit 24-12.
Fast forward three years later and Missio and his troops find themselves in the very same position once again, only this time a win on the grandest stage will be the most fitting of all as it will also be the final time the proud Windsor club will be represented in the NSW Cup.
With the Penrith Panthers taking back control of their own NSW Cup side in 2014, coach Missio believes a win on Sunday against the Cronulla Sharks will be the perfect way for the club to be sent off.
“It’s a fitting way for everyone to go out I believe,” he told the Weekender.
“It’ll be the Wolves’ last shot at it and I couldn’t be happier to see the club in this position.”
Missio admitted he’s learnt a lot as a coach since that devastating grand final loss in 2010.
“I’ve learned to be more patient with things and just let it take its course… it’s something on any coach’s bucket list to win a comp at any level,” he said.
“I do hope we can go one better this year mainly for the players and the club. They are a very good bunch of blokes, very close and they deserve the finish that they are getting.”
Earlier this year Missio almost missed out on that special finish after he was dumped as coach of the side in a Panthers coaching restructure in April.
Missio was demoted to assistant coach of the Wolves with Panthers Holden Cup coach Garth Brennan taking the top gig.
However, five weeks out from the finals the roles reversed back and now both coaches have teams representing on Grand Final Day.
“I suppose in a way it’s fitting for all of us because we started a job one way and now we’re going to finish it the same way, but I didn’t think 8-10 weeks ago I’d be in the position I am now that’s for sure,” Missio said.
The Windsor Wolves play the Cronulla Sharks in the NSW Cup Grand Final this Sunday, October 6 at 1.50pm. The game is live on Fox Sports and Channel Nine.
