Antoni Jagarinec steps down as Belconnen United's NPLW coach

Jagarinec has called time on his ten-year stint as head coach of Belconnen United's NPLW side, who have gone from dungeon-dwellers to becoming the league's powerhouse under his gaze.

The Blue Devils have claimed nine consecutive premierships since Jagarinec took over in 2010, as well as winning six of the past eight grand finals and securing five trebles in the last six years.

It sets the stage for an emotional start to the finals and adds extra motivation to Belconnen's bid for another treble finish, having already secured the minor premiership this season.

"I'm confident the club is in a really good spot with the women's program and people that I've brought on board over the last couple of years," Jagarinec said.

"It just felt right for me to let them take over and release the responsibility a little.

"Nine consecutive years of consistently being the best team in the region is definitely what i'm most proud of. Finals are there to be played and won, so absolutely [winning this year's] would be a cherry on top."

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Belconnen United are set to finish the regular season undefeated, scoring 91 goals and conceding only two.

But their dynasty has been ten-years in the making.

Jagarinec's side were thrashed 5-nil in his first-ever match as head coach, sparking a complete overhaul of the club's program.

"We drew a line in the sand and said 'we either do this or we don't'," Jagarinec said.

"That was the turning point and it's paid dividends down the track. We've had the same set of unwritten rules and guidelines to be followed, which keeps our culture strong.

"There's something consistent in our culture and that's transformed now to consistency in first grade. Bringing those girls together was a success but now we've got a production line of good footballers coming through the ranks.

"The program is always going to be a program but the people and players inside it have made it what it is."

Jagarinec has coach close to 70 different players at Belconnen United but only Katie Woodman and Michaela Day have been there all the way.

Woodman admitted Jagarinec's announcement came as a huge shock for the team but is looking forward to continuing his legacy on the park.

"He's one in a million kind of coach and built that program from the ground up so it's definitely a huge loss for the club," Woodman said.

"We're forever grateful for the opportunity he's provided us and the environment he's created for future players is invaluable.

"He provides a really professional environment for us and without that environment and positive culture then good players don't come and they definitely don't stay.

"Retaining those quality and experiences players also generates a lot of young talent which has also contributed to our success being sustained over such a long period of time. He can pretty much take all the credit for [our nine premierships]."

Meanwhile in the men's competition, only one point separates ladder-leading Tigers FC and Canberra Olympic.

Should Olympic win over the Riverina Rhinos on Saturday, the battle for the minor premiership will come down to the final match for the second straight season.

Olympic came off second-best in the same situation last season and coach Frank Cachia won't be taking any match lightly.

"Any team is capable of winning a game and that's how we're going to approach it," Cachia said.

"If we manage to win over Riverina that make its six games with defeat. It's been a consistent and concerted effort ever since we last lost to rectify our situation and put us in a position where we can challenge for the title.

"All we have to do is worry about us playing at our best, getting some of the injured boys back on the park and hopefully that'll be enough to get us where we want to be."

The final round could also mirror the semi-final matches, with Olympic facing Cooma and Gungahlin United taking on Canberra FC.

But Belconnen and Monaro Panthers are still in contention for fourth position but have to win their remaining matches.

"It's going to be hard playing the same team twice in two weeks," Cachia admitted.

"It becomes tactical and just puts more pressure on coaches to find the best way of setting up your team against a good quality opposition.

"There's not much between three or four teams in the competition but I think that's great for it. Everyone has something to play for and a lot of that comes down to introducing promotion-relegation.

"I think that is a really good incentive for teams who fall down outside of the top four because they still need to play for something. That's where you get your most competitive games."

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Round 17

MEN'S: Saturday: Riverina Rhinos v Canberra Olympic at Griffith, 3pm; Monaro Panthers v Belconnen United at Riverside Stadium, 5.30pm.

Sunday: Gungalin United v Tigers FC at AIS Grassfields, 3pm; Tuggeranong United v Woden-Weston at Greenway Enclosed, 3pm.

WOMEN'S: Saturday: Belconnen United v Monaro Panthers at McKellar Park, 3pm; Canberra United Academy v Gungahlin United at Hawker Football Centre, 5pm.

Sunday: Wagga City Wanderers v Woden-Weston at Gissing Oval, 3pm. Canberra Olympic v Tuggeranong United at OConnor Enclosed, 3pm.