Gully go back to back after thrilling Grand Final

Green Gully Cavaliers have won their second consecutive Victorian Premier League Grand Final after a thrilling 3-2 victory over Oakleigh Cannons in extra time.

Much to the surprise of many in the stands, both sides started with an attacking mindset, looking to score early and putting pressure on their opponent. It only took four minutes for the first real chance of the match as Oakleigh’s Ricky Diaco fired in a low shot which beat Roganovic however could only hit the post. Soon after Roganovic was called into action yet again, this time forced into a save from a low Lagana shot.

But it was the defending champions that took the lead on 23 minutes as a Stephen Downes curling effort from outside the box rebounded of the bar. It fell to the feet of Fleming who fired it past Cannons keeper Zois to hand Gully the lead.

Only a minute later Oakleigh found a quick equaliser as Ricky Diaco found Doyle in the box who held his nerve to hit the back of the net. On the half hour mark it was the Cannons turn to go in front, this time through a sublime finish from Diaco after a skilful turn left him with only Roganovic to beat.

Oakleigh’s second goal seemed to have rattled Gully as they struggled to string passes together and create decent chances. Oakleigh pushed forward in search of a third however were left satisfied with a 2-1 lead at the break.


At the beginning of the second half Joel Nikolic made way for Hamid Basma, which proved to a be a well planned move by Gully coach Ian Dobson as it took Basma only seven minutes to equalise. Medjedovic played a great through ball to Basma who held his composure to beat Zois and level the contest.

Following the leveller both sides struggled to create clear cut chances with efforts from Oakleigh’s Doyle and Lagana easily saved by Roganovic.

In the 82nd minute Green Gully came closest to stealing the victory as substitute Munoz unleashed a 35 yard free-kick headed for the top right-hand corner, however Peter Zois was up to the challenge and made a wonderful save.

After 90 minutes the scores remained 2-2. Into extra-time it didn’t take long to see a fifth goal as in the 94th minute Munoz sent a low cross into the area which found Basma lurking at the back post for an easy finish.

Gully held firmly onto its lead for the remaining period until a nervous moment arrived in the 118th minute. An Obradovic cross was met by Lagana who headed past Roganovic however he was found offside much to the delight of the Gully faithful.

The blow of the whistle from the referee signalled Green Gully Cavaliers' second consecutive Victorian Premier League championship, pleasing Gully players, coaching staff and supporters alike. Cavaliers' Stephen Downes was named the Grand Final's man-of-the-match, receiving the Jim Rooney medal.


GREEN GULLY CAVALIERS – OAKLEIGH CANNONS 3-2* 2-2 (1-2)

GREEN GULLY – Nikola ROGANOVIC, Daniel JONES, Dean KERR, Cameron DRAKE, Stephen DOWNES, Jeffrey FLEMING, Graham HOCKLESS (65th Jason HAYNE), Mathew SANDERS, Mile MEDJEDOVIC, Andy VARGAS (75th Jonathan MUNOZ), Joel NIKOLIC (46th Hamid BASMA).

OAKLEIGH – Peter ZOIS, Bonel OBRADOVIC, Ramazan TAVSANCIOGLU, James CUMMINGS, Aristidis DRAKOS, Luke WALKER, Ante CICAK, Frankie LAGANA, Hayden DOYLE, James ROBINSON, Ricky DIACO (84th Craig GOODWIN)