VPL Grand Final: Northcote claim maiden win

Northcote City is the toast of Victorian football as they overcame Bentleigh Greens in extra time with a thrilling Victorian Premier League Grand Final win at AAMI Park.

Bentleigh found themselves ahead early in extra time but with the advantage of an extra man Northcote came back to record a 3-2 victory.

Northcote striker Milos Lujic was the hero of the day not only dispatching the winning goal from a corner deep into the second half of extra time but also picking up the Jimmy Rooney Medal for best player on the day.

It was a cagey start for both sides with tackles flying in from all corners. Bentleigh enjoyed the opening more than their opponents but couldn’t tuck the ball away.

The main talking point of the half was a dubious penalty awarded to the Greens. Ryan De Vries was brought down in the box and it appeared for all money Bentleigh would strike first blood in the Grand Final.

Luke Sherbon however misread the script and sent the ball high into the empty green seats in the stands from the spot kick, much to the joy of the nearby Northcote City fans.

However the deadlock was broken in the second half with Evan Kounavelis scoring for Northcote. Kounavelis was credited with the goal but this will be one for the Dubious Goals Committee as it was helped into the net with a more than healthy touch from a Greens’ defender.

The joy was short lived however as Bentleigh struck back straight away with De Vries equalling the game just moments later.

Northcote thought they had the game all but won in the 85th minute with Lujic’s headed goal disallowed for offside in a call that looked harsh.

All momentum Bentleigh had received with that early extra time goal evaporated however with Luke Pilkington receiving a red card just moments after entering the game.

It was all Northcote from that moment on as Lujic stamped his authority on the game with two goals that clinched Northcote their first State Championship.

After a problematic season for the local game in this state, Victorian Football had its moment in the sun with an enthralling finish to the season.

The Victorian Premier League put behind all the controversy surrounding the match fixing situation and the ongoing National Premier Leagues saga to treat fans to a match of high drama and high entertainment.

A more than fitting way to end the season.