Winning silverware is usually the pinnacle of a player’s career.
However, not everyone is fortunate enough to realise a dream despite how long one may play for.
Most of the time it is a finite experience and something that cannot be taken for granted. Rarely do players have the privilege of lifting multiple championships particularly at smaller market teams.
Throughout history, silverware has eluded even the best players in their respective sports, irrespective of their greatness. Think of retired footballers Bernd Schneider and Matt Le Tissier or former Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino in the NFL.
So when Ben Halloran finally lifted his first piece of silverware he was understandably ecstatic and at the same time thankful.
“You sometimes forget as a player why you play,” Halloran admitted.
“You want to play to win titles. Sometimes you can get wrapped up in statistics, or how much you earn, or what clubs you play at.
“But winning at any level is a great feeling. I was relatively late in my career to win a piece of silverware.
“When that final whistle went I kind of realised why you put all the hours in and why you play football, so that was a really nice feeling.”
Halloran was 18 when he made his professional debut and it was not until the age of 26 did a trophy finally arrive for the winger in 2018.
Indeed, the ex-Fortuna Düsseldorf man had only just joined the Reds in August 2018 and within a few months he got to lift the FFA Cup trophy following a memorable 2-1 Final win over Sydney FC.
“I was relatively new to the team,” Halloran said.
“I hadn’t played at Coopers (Stadium) yet because during the lead up to the final there were away games against mostly NPL clubs.
“I remember Marco who was the coach at the time was just telling us to enjoy it. You’ve got to enjoy finals, you don’t play in too many so you don’t want them to just pass you by.
“It was a pretty warm evening, it was absolutely packed. Just walking out to a packed Coopers, it’s probably one of the best atmospheres I’ve ever played in.
“It was a typical final again, really hard-fought. Luck was on our side a bit and Craig Goodwin had an amazing game and scored two absolute belters.
“It was a really memorable team, really memorable moment for me as a player, but I think winning it as a team with that bunch of boys was really special.”
A year later, Halloran and the Reds went on to defend their title, clinching a resounding 4-0 victory against Melbourne City in the 2019 FFA Cup Final – a game where the attacker also etched his name on the scoresheet.
