Liam Boland departs Avondale, NPL Victoria a champion in dream farewell

Premiership, championship, NPL Victoria’s all-time leading scorer, Liam Boland had the dream farewell in Avondale’s grand final triumph.

Liam Boland celebrates a goal for Avondale in the NPL Grand Final, Picture: Mark Avellino Photography

The NPL’s all-time leading scorer, premiership-winner, championship-winner … Liam Boland has done just about everything.

The Avondale star bid farewell in Sunday’s NPL Victoria grand final, scoring a brilliant goal, as Avondale finished off a record-breaking season with a 4-0 triumph over South Melbourne.

Boland announced earlier in the season he would be returning to his native Western Australia at the end of the year.

Helping his beloved Avengers achieve a historic double, the first NPL Victoria premiership and championship in club history was the perfect send-off.

“It’s not been an easy journey in the six years I’ve been at Avondale, it’s the longest I’ve been at a club, which speaks volumes,” Boland said.

Liam Boland celebrates a win for Avondale. Picture: Josh Chadwick

Liam Boland in action for Avondale.

“I’ve enjoyed every second, even the struggles, and a special coaching group has got the best out of me and every boy here.

“To finally do it after missing out twice and the pandemic in between – a lot of us missed the prime of our careers – it’s a special, special day.

“To cap it off with a goal is even better.

“I’ve got my little boy, Harry, here and that’s a big reason we’re moving home after nine years in Victoria.

“It was special to have him here, Zoc asked me to walk out with the boys even though I wasn’t starting, which I’m grateful for just to have that moment with him.”

Boland arrived in Victoria in 2015, signing with Oakleigh Cannons before stops at Green Gully and Hume City and finally Avondale.

The prolific striker finishes his NPL Victoria career with 104 goals in 189 matches.

He became the NPL Victoria all-time leading goalscorer in Round 15 this season with a penalty against Altona City taking him to 100 goals and breaking South Melbourne and Oakleigh Cannons forward Milos Lujic’ record.

Liam Boland celebrates a goal for Hume City. Picture: Josie Hayden

Liam Boland celebrates a goal for Green Gully. Picture: George Salpigtidis

Boland scored 11 goals this season, the fifth time in nine season he has reached double figures, with a high of 22 in 2019.

He’s also third on the all-time list of Australia Cup goals with 10, behind only Patrick Antemi and Besart Berisha, and a knack for scoring against A-League opposition.

While he will look back on personal achievements later, Boland was particularly proud of Avondale smashing the NPL Victoria team goalscoring record this season.

The Avengers piled on 78 goals, beating the previous best mark with nine games remaining.

“I had a couple of injuries this year, which wasn’t great for me personally, but as a team the boys have been so special,” he said.

“I scored a few goals and contributed where I could, to have a couple of personal accolades like 100 goals is great, but to win the league and broke the goals record as a team, played football all the way through, it’s a special year.”

With Avondale leading 2-0 in the second half of the grand final at Olympic Village, Boland replaced Zander Guy in the 72nd minute.

He wasted no time making an impact, scoring a belter from the edge of the area just seven minutes later.

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Boland collected a clearance from South goalkeeper Javi Lopez, took a couple of touches, and thrashed the ball into the back of the net.

“Everyone in the ground probably thought I was going to try and repeat the Green Gully goal,” he said.

“I had George Mells in my ear saying I had time, I took an extra touch and it sat up perfectly for me, it was the perfect finish right in the top bins.

“I’ll be telling young Harry about that one when he’s older.”