By Kieran Yap 10/9/24
Above: Heidelberg United lift the trophy. Photo: Football Victoria
“Great run.. that’s a penalty… what a goal!… I think we’re headed for extra time… what the F-…?…What. A. Game!”
These are just some of the utterances and exclamations heard around the ground at the 2024 NPLW Victoria Grand Final. Heidelberg United and Preston Lions faced off at The Home of The Matildas and put on a show that will go down in the folklore of this league.
Both sides could claim to be one step away from a fairytale. Preston Lions had returned to the division only one season ago, and had enjoyed an exceptional season in that context. Boasting Emma Checker in defence, Western Australian Ellie La Monte and Perth Glory striker Susan Phonsongkham they had a side capable of beating anybody on their day.
Heidelberg’s season could be best described as turbulent. Facing the threat of relegation early on in the season, Sven Samild took charge of the team and guided them up the ladder and eventually to a shot at their first championship in 16 years.
Things started well for Heidelberg. Keely Lockhart’s determined run into the box earned a penalty. Alana Jancevski took a deep breath before scoring in familiar style from the spot.
The lead was short lived. Phonsongkham unleashed a spectacular drive from beyond 30 yards. The ball flew high and dipped over Mia Bailey in the Heidelberg goals to level the scores in stunning fashion.
Preston had the lead before half time. Haley Johnson was played in by Phonsongkham and after some clever movement and quick stepovers, she fired in to the top corner to make it 2-1.
The second half would see both sides on the attack. As the afternoon went on, Heidelberg seemed to gain more momentum but still were unable to break down the Preston defence. Dan Foden’s team still looked dangerous on the counter attack and were desperately unlucky not to go another goal up.
But Heidelberg continued to push. At times they looked hurried but they never stopped, and as the game reached the closing stages they somehow looked more confident that they had at any other point.
Jancevski’s unpredictability was the key to the eventual equaliser. Her pass was curled with the outside of her foot around the defender and too the feet of Steph Galea. The Heidelberg captain combine with Kathryn Vlahopoulos to put Lockhart into enough space to wiggle free and finish cooly to tie up the scores.
It looked like extra time was looming, it felt like penalty kicks might separate these teams, but Heidelberg had other ideas and evidently were eager to start the afterparty as early as possible.
A Jancevski corner was well cleared before Cameron Barreiro’s long range effort was palmed over for another. This one was hit shorter it bounced high after a deflection, creating the nightmare scenario for defenders, a dropping ball on the goal line. Mami Ambo jumped highest to nod the ball home in the 96th minute.
Pandemonium ensued. The whistle blew second after and Heidelberg United had achieved a remarkable late comeback. The stadium was in shock, as many were laughing or crying as they were cheering. This was a famous win, born of skill, determination and forcing their own luck.
It will go down in history as a classic of the Victorian NPLW.
Impetus caught up with Heidelberg United recruit and Melbourne Victory bound playmaker Alana Jancevski following the win. Her voice sounded croaky after a day of celebrating, and the win had truly sunk in. This was Jancevski’s third consecutive Grand Final as an individual and her first time on the winning team.
“I’m a little bit tired now,” she said to Impetus.
“The adrenaline’s worn off, but very happy, and just grateful for the whole experience.”
Jancevski reflected on the strong start to the game, and although Heidelberg had to win it the hard way, she says there was belief throughout the team even after going a goal behind.
“I think we started the game really well,” she said
“In the last couple of games we have done that, so it was really nice to see that eventuate again.
“I think we justgot a little bit too complacent as a team and kind of went away from, our style of play.
“At half time was just really about realizing how good of a footballing side we were, and we just wanted to go back to that and go back to keeping the ball and just really trying to move the opposition.
“We kept going and going and going, and I think there was a real shift from the team in about the 76th minute, and we just kept pushing and pushing and pushing, and eventually we made our way through.”
This was a team win for the ages, but much of the post match celebrations centred around one player in particular. Stephanie Galea is a legend of the club, and has been a loyal and devoted Heidelberg United player. There was a feeling before the game, a buzz around the stands, that the players wanted to win this for their long serving captain.
“Steph’s such a special person,” says Jancevski
“I’ve known her pretty much my whole life.
“Everyone knows that she bleeds black and yellow, and she was one of the main reasons everyone wanted to win.
“She just always puts her heart and soul into the game and I think everyone wanted to do it for her, for sure.”
After finally winning that elusive Grand Final, Jancevski said that the overwhelming feeling was relief. She made special mention of the culture of the club, everyone from the iconic administrator Helen Tyrikos to each member of the squad.
Far from blocking out her own past of close misses , she used it to fuel her in a tough match.
“It definitely kept replaying my mind that you know ‘It can’t happen again.’
“Late in the game, had a real shift in my mentality just to give my absolute all, and just really go past the fatigue,
“It was a dream come true that I’ve always wanted.”
As the game wore on, and the stakes became higher, Heidelberg started to take more risks with the ball. They did not resort to desperate long balls, but as a team became more creative. Jancevski caught the eye with some clever turns and flicks as the side’s confidence grew despite the score.
“I just that mindset of I can’t lose again.
“Written on my wrist I had ‘remember’ which is something that I did look at towards end of the game, and in that period where I remembered how much it hurt to lose.
“I think that helped to restart my engines if you want to say it like that, and just fight for everything.”
Jancevski and Heidelberg celebrated in a manner that the champions deserved, but she won’t get top bask in the glory of the win too long. Pre-season starts soon for the A-League Women, and she is returning to Melbourne Victory, her hometown club, determined to make an impact.
“It’s just fully sunk in how amazing it is to win something and I think that can be great fuel for myself personally, that the amount of hard work and hours I’ve put in in this off season to get to the level of playing that I’ve got to is something I’m really proud of.
“But it’s only the beginning for me.
“I can use everything I’ve learned personally and in football terms this season to really push myself this off season.
“My goal is to make the mark on this A-League season for Victory.”
Follow Impetus on social media –
Twitter (X): @impetusfootball TikTok: @impetusfootball
Facebook: @impetuswomensfootball Instagram: @impetusfootball
impetusfootball.org 