Trophy lifts, thrilling come-backs, late heartbreak, and illness all play a part in the Nat Tobin and Kogarah story.
It’s a story that continues to be written as she captains her side this weekend in a top of the table clash with Western United at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.
She’s hoping the game matches her favourite memory from last season – the semi-final win over Melbourne City.
“I still get goosebumps from it. I didn’t sleep properly for two nights because I was just on the biggest high and I know a few of the girls say the same thing.
“It was so amazing. How we came back from two goals down and we knew we were going to win it in extra time,” Tobin proclaimed.
If I am having a bad day, I will just sit and watch it back.
“It comes up as a suggested watch on my Smart TV all the time, so much so, I watched it yesterday,” Tobin laughed.
This Sunday, Kogarah will play host to another thrilling encounter as Sydney FC take on Western United in a match that could decide the outcome of the Premiers Plate race as Sydney FC chase a third consecutive title. As captain and leader, Nat Tobin doesn’t shy away from these moments.
“I’ve come to love the big games. It’s a great way to show that we are the best team.
“I find games against teams below us in the table really nerve wracking especially because we have the capacity to beat any team in this league so it’s all about how we show up on the day.”
Tobin has made over 90 appearances for the Sky Blues and plays an integral role as captain on game days.
“I used to get quite nervous and frightened to play in the big games but I’ve been playing in the league for so long that I really enjoy it.
“In the lead up to the game, I like to lead by example and ensure my passes are good and that mentally I’m switched on,” she added.
“When you have confidence, others feed off that and I think this is especially true in the female game, when you play with confidence, you play well.”
Tobin has had a storied history with Sydney FC, and most of her iconic moments in a Sky Blue jersey have come on the turf of Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.
“I remember making my debut for Sydney FC in the Grand Final and then the next season my second appearance was at Kogarah and I went home so pleased that my dream was beginning to come true.
“A day later I ended up in hospital and it turns out I ended up having a burst appendix and ended up missing out on much of the season,” the captain laughs.
“Then for the 2019 Grand Final, that memory of Kogarah was amazing to win the trophy, but unfortunately I was sick with glandular fever, but sickness aside that was an awesome memory.”
It hasn’t always been plain sailing at Kogarah for Tobin and Sydney FC and she uses last season’s Grand Final defeat as motivation to not let it happen again.
“It was heartbreaking.
“Especially because we had made Kogarah our own and to lose the way we did with us very close to getting an equaliser, it was tough,” she added.
“We’ve seen what we can do at this ground though, and against Western United, everyone’s feeling very confident that playing them at home, we can rise up and get the win.”
Having lost the reverse fixture down in Melbourne, Tobin is hoping that home advantage will play it’s part this Sunday.
“It’ll be a totally different game this time around.”
“This time it will be more matched to our conditions as it is a big field because when we went down there, they knew how to play the surface,” she added.
“It’s always a nice atmosphere when we are there and when everyone turns up, we feel confident that we can get the win.”
The action kicks off from 4pm on Sunday afternoon where you can catch Nat and the Sydney FC girls at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium as they attempt to create more Sky Blue history on that turf.
Match Details
Sydney FC v Western United
Liberty A-League Round 10
Sunday 5th March 2023
Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Kogarah, NSW
Kick Off: 4pm AEDT
Gates Open: 3pm AEDT
Broadcast Live: Paramount+ & 10Play
Tickets: Click Here
