Whoever wrote the script for Myrtleford star Matt Park’s brief time at the club so far needs a pay rise.
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The Savoys’ co-coach added to his impressive AWFA resume with the player of the match award in Sunday’s 2-0 cup final victory against Cobram at Jelbart Park on Sunday.
It now means Park has won the league’s Star Player, Golden Boot, as well as a league title and cup final in the space of two years.
“It’s been unbelievable, last year was such a big success and we (co-coach Jayden Vescio and I) were obviously disappointed not to be playing out there,” Park said.
“We spoke to each other at the start of the year and said ‘let’s play in one together’.
“Somehow we’ve gone and won the league and won the cup, which is better than we could have ever hoped for.
“This is the club’s sixth final in 11 years, so it’s always been a club that’s been up there.
“We haven’t done anything special tactically, we’ve just got boys in that work for each other and give their all, that’s all you can ask for as a coach.
“We’ve played some good football when we’ve needed and played some ugly football when we’ve needed to, but that’s how you end up winning cups and leagues.”
Park admitted it was only by chance that he landed at Myrtleford before his stellar rise in the league.
“I moved to Beechworth and wanted a kick on a Tuesday night,” Park said.
“I knew there were clubs everywhere and I typed into Google ‘what’s the closest club’ and it was Myrtleford.
“I’ve got mates for life now and love hanging around there, it’s like a big family.”
Park believes the club managed to find the perfect mix, which is a big reason for its success.
“We’ve got everything, we’ve got experience and we’ve got youth,” he said.
“I don’t think our boys get enough credit around the league for the players they are.
“It was Vitaly (Leschen’s) third grand final, Vinnie (Paglia) has played in two or three, Jesse Stephens has won four cups and three leagues and he’s only 23 or 24 years old.
“Nagus (Henry) has been around and was sort of left wanting for a club, but he’s come to us and been such an influential player on the big stage.
“I love them all.”