Lakoseljac family's close involvement in 20th Lakoseljac Cup Final

Photo (L-R):  Bradley, Brendan and Nerradine Lakoseljac with the Lakoseljac Cup [PlessPix]

The 20^th Lakoseljac Cup Final, between South Hobart and Devonport City, will be played next Monday at 3.30pm at KGV Park.

The competition was instituted in 2000, a year after Glenorchy Knights striker, Milan Lakoseljac, after whom the trophy was named, passed away.

Glenorchy Knights beat Kingborough to win the trophy in 2000 and Milan’s son, Brendan, was a member of that Knights team.

Brendan was also in the Glenorchy Knights squad which lost to Hobart Zebras in the 2003 cup final.

He will be involved in Monday’s final, as will his son, and Milan’s grandson, 18-year-old Bradley Lakoseljac.

Brendan is on the South Hobart coaching staff, while Bradley is in the South Hobart senior squad.

South Hobart coach, Ken Morton, was coach of Glenorchy Knights when they won that inaugural trophy in 2000.

“2000 was a special year,” said Brendan Lakoseljac.  “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.

“It was something I could do for my family in remembrance of my father.

“We had a good year and we had a fantastic year in 2000 which, for me, was lucky.

“We had tremendous support on the ground and off it through that year after Dad had passed away as it was hard times for the family.

“To have the support of the boys who played  -  there were some great players  -  and Kenny, the coach, who was there in 1999 when Dad passed away, it was really something.

“It was nice to share together, albeit at the expense of losing my father.”

“It was an emotional night running out onto the pitch for that final.

“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.”

Photo:  The Lakoseljacs on the coaching bench at KGV Park today [PlessPix]

Nineteen years after that inaugural final, Milan Lakoseljac’s grandson, Bradley, is a member of the South Hobart senior squad that will contest the 2019 final.

He has been in the senior side for the past few league matches and may get a starting berth for the final.

“I guess, for him, it’s a special occasion,” Brendan said.

“He never met his grandfather, so I know there’s a lot of meaning there for him and hopefully he can follow in my footsteps from that first year.”

Brendan Lakoseljac said he was probably more nervous as a member of the coaching staff than he had been as a player.

“The drive is there to win it, but I’d rather be out there playing because you can control more when you’re out there playing.

“It’s up to how you feel and how you play.

“It’s quite nerve-racking, but I’ll get among the boys and have a good talk to them and not let the occasion be too much for them.

“It’s more about winning a game and going on to the FFA Cup, which is very special as a part of the process of the Lakoseljac Cup.”

Photo:  People have watched 19 previous Lakoseljac Cup finals from this grandstand at KGV Park.  Nerradine Lakoseljc (right) said family members will be watching the game on live stream in Canada and Europe. [PlessPix]