The 2020 season may be the only one Jesse Spang spends in the Western Premier League but the Macquarie United striker certainly made it count.
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Spang starred for the minor premiers this season and finished the campaign as the competition's leading scorer.
He might have missed out on the ultimate prize after Macquarie United was beaten by Dubbo FC in the grand final but last week Spang and five of his teammates were recognised for their efforts.
Spang was part of a heavy Macquarie United contingent in the Western Premier League Team of the Year.
The young striker was named in the starting side alongside Connor Crain and Cameron Kopp while Justin Pickering and keeper Tim Duggan were on the bench.
"It's definitely good recognition for the team," Spang said, adding it was proof of the calibre of players and camaraderie within the squad.
"We worked hard for each other and there's definitely quality in the team and that shows.
"There's a great culture at Macquarie and it's a great team."
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As well as the Macquarie five, Dubbo FC trio Scott Fox, Gareth Williams and Alex Richardson-Bell were all named in the starting side while Orana Spurs star Jake Grady earned a place on the bench.
Spang and Williams were named in a front three along with Logan Inwood, whose Lithgow teammate Sam Johnson was selected in goal.
Fox and Crain were joined in midfield by Panorama's Mitch Cooper while the four-man defence featured Kopp, Richardson-Bell, Barnstoneworth's Grant Koch and Adam Parker from Parkes.
There's a great culture at Macquarie and it's a great team.
- Jesse Spang
Spang hit two separate hat-tricks this season on the way to finishing with a league-best tally of 11 goals.
One of the undoubted stars of the competition, Spang hopes to push on next season and play his trade in Sydney.
It's been a busy few weeks for the teenager since the WPL decider, as he's currently in the middle of his HSC exams while also making regular trips to the city to take part in trials.
"I'm just keen for whatever happens next," he said.
While Spang may not be in the sky blue next season he has no doubts his side can still figure towards the top of the ladder again.
A youthful lineup which lit up the competition at times this season, the Macquarie players were understandably shattered after losing the grand final to their local rivals.
But it didn't take coach Paul Crain long to say they'll be back again in 2021, with the coach determined to make his side a consistent force.
"There's still a lot that will be there next year so I'm sure they're still going to be strong," Spang added.
Connor Crain and Kopp are among those who are expected to again be part of the core group next season.
Kopp was one of the side's major off-season recruits and proved to be a rock in defence while Crain was a tireless worker in midfield and scored arguably the goal of the season when striking one into the top corner from deep inside his own half.
"Connor was just consistent and was always quality and you never see any mistakes from Cameron at the back. He's a solid defender," Spang said of his teammates.
- WPL TEAM OF THE YEAR: Sam Johnson (Workmen's); Alex Richardson-Bell (Bulls), Grant Koch (Barnstoneworth), Cameron Copp (Macquarie), Adam Parker (Parkes); Scott Fox (Bulls), Mitch Cooper (Panorama), Connor Crain (Macquarie); Gareth Williams (Bulls), Jesse Spang (Macquarie), Logan Inwood (Workmen's). Substitutes: Jake Grady (Orana Spurs), Tim Duggan (Macquarie), Beau Yates (Panorama), Justin Pickering (Macquarie), Duncan Logan (Barnstoneworth), Lachlan McHatton (Barnstoneworth).