Wilkinson to savour another big moment

Alex Wilkinson might have lost more grand finals than he has won, but he has never been one to look back.

Alex Wilkinson challenges for possession during the semi-final against Melbourne Victory on Sunday. Picture: AAP

Alex Wilkinson might have lost more grand finals than he has won, but he has never been one to look back and refuses to get caught up in the “what could have been” in terms of his career in the A-League.

Rather, the experienced Sydney FC defender says he prefers to go out and enjoy being part of the atmosphere, excitement and high stakes of a season decider. It is an attitude that is in keeping with how he plays his football — no-nonsense and with a minimum of fuss.

It is something that has held him in good stead during his 18-year career as a professional both here and in South Korea.

He will be one of the coolest customers on the field on Sunday when the Sky Blues go in as underdogs against Perth Glory in the grand final at Optus Stadium.

It will be his fifth appearance in a decider in 11 A-League seasons having previously been involved in three losses with the Central Coast Mariners between 2005-06 and 2011-12 and his lone success with Sydney FC in 2016-17.

Only Damian Mori and Tom Pondeljak, who both figured in the NSL and A-League, have played in more — seven each.

But as much as some will often remind the 34-year-old Wilkinson of the past, it is not about statistics or records for him.

“What has happened before is in the past. I’ve enjoyed them all to be honest because you know just how lucky you are to get to play in one,” Wilkinson said.

“As you get older you know the opportunities to do so become much lesser, so you just have to savour these moments when they come.”

Asked what it is about him and grand finals, Wilkinson laughs and says simply “luck”.

“I have been lucky enough to be involved in some pretty successful teams to be honest,” he said. “All of them were different. With the Mariners we survived on a shoestring budget but still made three grand finals.

“Winning it with Sydney in my first season with the club was something special. We lost one game all season so there was a lot of pressure. It was sort of more of a relief to get the championship because if we didn’t do it, it would have been a massive let-down.”