In a 2022 Elimination Final, Noah Botic was nowhere to be seen.
The then-20-year-old was an unused substitute as Western United overcame Wellington Phoenix 1-0 en route to to their maiden Isuzu UTE A-League Championship.
This time around, things are a lot different for Botic and the Green and Black.
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It was a hat-trick for the ages – one that saw the young gun become the youngster hat-trick scorer in an Isuzu UTE A-League finals fixture in the competition’s 20-year history.
NEXT STOP, SEMI-FINALS: Record-breaking hat-trick headlines Western United’s historic night
“We know that in these finals games, you need someone who can stand up and do something like that,” John Aloisi told reporters. “Noah Botic was that person tonight.
“These are the games people end up talking about because it’s finals. When you’re a striker and pushing to go to another level, this is when you have to do it and he did it tonight.”
Amid a career-best season, it was Botic in all of his glory in the Elimination Final. Down 1-0 inside three minutes, the Subway Socceroos hopeful stepped up. Two goals in 11 minutes turned the game on its head. By the 62nd minute, he had his first senior hat-trick and Western United’s third in Isuzu UTE A-League history.
For Botic, it represents a three-year journey from prospect to genuine star. A star who has now scored 15 goals in 2024-25.
“I know there’s a lot left in Noah,” Aloisi said of Botic’s growth. “We’re still seeing the start of it really. I know there’s a lot left in him, so much left in him.”
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He did it in front of the watchful eye of Socceroos assistant Hayden Foxe, Western United’s former number two, under the Tarneit lights.
Botic was overlooked for March’s 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup qualifiers. But with June’s window looming, he may be the name on Tony Popovic’s next squad list by the time in which he could have led Western United to a Championship.
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“Noah will be on the radar for the national team because he has been in the past,” Aloisi said. “Whether he gets selected of these games or not, he will eventually become a Socceroo.
“We know, and Noah knows, there’s still a lot of improving for him.”
The most telling moment, however, may have come an hour after the full-time whistle.
At the peak of his powers, Botic is also out of contract at the end of the campaign and when asked if he had just played his last game in Tarneit, his answer was telling.
Inside the press conference room, Botic told reporters: “I’m not going to say too much but if it was, then it’s been a pleasure playing here.
“It’s a tough decision. I’ve been talking about it with my family and agent for the past couple of months. The conversation will come and I can’t say too much but I’m just focused on the rest of the season and to go and lift that trophy.”
