By Kieran Yap 16/9/25
Above: Box Hill lift the Championship trophy. Photo: Passion Creations
Box Hill United are the 2025 NPLW VIC Champions after defeating Heidelberg United 2-1 in the Grand Final.
Carina Rossi struck twice after half time to send the trophy to Box Hill for the first time, and secured the clubs first piece of senior silverware in 13 years.
The stage was set for an epic encounter. Box Hill arrived at The Home of The Matildas as the competition’s in-form team. Heidelberg United entered the arena as the premiers. The league’s runaway leaders were trying to win a rare double, and be the first club since Calder United in 2022 to achieve that.
Adding to the occasion, it was the 186th and final game for league legend, Steph Galea. The Heidelberg captain announced her retirement after the semi final win, and although she started on the bench, her presence loomed as large as always.
The first half was incident filled, but not overly exciting. As finals can be, it was a bit of an arm wrestle. Before either team could really get started the match was paused following an accidental collision between the referee and Box Hill’s Holly Murray. The defender was ok to continue, the referee was not.
Chances were rare in the opening 45 minutes. Both goalkeepers looked comfortable when the ball came their way, but were not really tested. Box Hill’s central defenders were well aware of the threat Sawa Matsuda posed, and closed her down quickly whenever she looked like finding space in the 18 yard box.
Heidelberg enjoyed the majority of possession, and played with plenty of attacking intent, but Box Hill dropped deep. They were determined not to allow any real space behind the back four.
The game opened up in the second half, and it was a moment of invention that broke the deadlock.
Box Hill counter attacked from a Heidelberg free kick and in an instant Sofia Sakalis was racing toward goal. Acting quickly, Warriors goalkeeper Mia Bailey came out to close the angle. In most situations this would push the forward wide and perhaps give the backtracking defenders time to cover. Sakalis had other plans.
With vision and skill, she flick a square pass with the outside of the foot, the ball took everyone by surprise and opened up the attacking space. Rossi still had plenty to do but finished calmly to make it 1-0.
In an effort to hit back, Heidelberg brought Galea into the game almost instantly, but she was unable to get settled before Rossi had a second.
This one was a stunning individual effort. A perfectly struck, curling ball the found the top corner of the net.
The game had rapidly changed from tight tactical battle to an open, fast paced affair.
Box Hill were prepared to counter attack from the opening whistle, so with a two goal lead, the rest of the match was set up exactly the way they wanted it.
They were able to sit back, absorb pressure and try and pinch a third.
Those plans were briefly threatened when Heidelberg pulled one back. Caitlin Karic’s long range free kick dipped awkwardly and Teresa Morrissey fumbled it over the line.
That gave Heidelberg a chance of a comeback, but Box Hill seemed able to regroup quickly. A 10 game winning steak likely instilled them with confidence they could see out this match.
Sakalis was inches away from adding a third. Her leap at a the back post was agonisingly close to connecting and effectively ending the game. Rhianna Pollicina looked ever dangerous in the attacking third and calm on the ball in midfield.
Heidelberg pushed for an equaliser. They were entitled to believe in miracles after last season’s dramatic climax. ?$( it was not to be in 2025. The final whistle blew and a new champion was crowned.
The post match was filled with emotion. Box Hill celebrated a win that few saw coming at the midway point of the season, for many players thus has been the culmination of years of work, and development at thr cjub.
They have been literally unstoppable for 11 games in a row, and were slowly building before that. Box Hill United are organised without the ball and have rare individual quality with it. Rossi is an elite finisher and showed that on the big stage, and while Sakalis would undoubtedly preferred to score, he’d assist was genius.
Heidelberg farewelled Galea in the aftermath. It is truly the end of an era, but she leaves a legacy that she can be proud of and every club would want to emulate.
It has been a privilege to watch her play.
It is hard to imagine what it would have taken for Heidelberg to get this far. They experienced unimaginable tragedy in 2025, and were able to not only continue but win the premiership.
This is a remarkable group of players at a club now widely regarded as one of the best in the nation. This defeat should fade quickly for The Warriors, they’ll be back in contention again.
The Grand Final also saw Football farewell Maria Berry. The iconic administrator, coach and advocate of the women’s game sadly passed away in the weeks before the match.
Maria was a touchstone for so many in the sport and like hundreds of other people, she one of my best friends in the sport.
Tributes for Maria are found easily, she was a giant in this game, but one of my favourite memories was that she wanted me to text updates of her favourite NPLW players to her during the 2023 World Cup.
“How is Rosie Rodger playing?” Was one of the first questions she asked before the World Cup semifinal between England and Australia. She loved Victorian football and I’ll miss chatting with her about it.
The 2025 was one of the most high-quality NPL campaigns in memory. The league expanded to 12 teams, for the second year, relegation was a factor and it produced some amazing games and stories.
Aleks Sinclair turned back the clock with some incredible performances for Spring Hills FC, Sarah Cain played her best football since her Gold Medallist season in 2022, and Sawa Matsuda was irrepressible for much of the season.
We had a new Champion, a new Premier and new genuine stars in the likes of Bulleen attacker Danella Butrus and Alamein’s great discovery Maximillia.
This season also saw the last generation of the FV Academy senior side. The state’s development program has routinely produced the best players in the league and some absolutely incredible teams over the journey, and the class of 2025 will undoubtedly go on to achieve big things in the sport.
There were reputations enhanced. Anika Dovaston, Fiorina Iaria, Clancy Westaway and Poppy O’Keeffe all went up another level. Jade Tam was dependable and mature in defence and Emily Rutkowski became a human highlight reel.
The 2025 NPLW also provided Australia with some potential new Matildas. Kaya Jugovic captained and starred for Australia’s U16’s in the ASEAN Championship, and she was joined by Heidelberg prodigy Aeryn Tarrant.
For the Under 23 National team, Sofia Sakalis and Essendon Royals Alana Cernd both contributed to Australia winning the ASEAN senior Championship for the first time since 2008. Back at home, senior Matildas boss Joe Montemurro could be spotted on numerous NPL fence lines.
As much as things changed, many still stayed the same. Bulleen Lions and Essendon Royals both finished top four again. Players like Nia Salleh and Emma Langley stood out for the clubs respectively, while both attracted high quality recruits like Isabella Accardo and Grace Maher.
There is a quiet rivalry growing between these two clubs who look to be in contention for years to come.
For all the highs and lows and the goals, the saves, this was a season packed with memories and highlights.
Another one awaits, but right now the moment belongs to Box Hill United. Congratulations to the champions of 2025.
Follow Impetus on social media –
Twitter (X): @impetusfootball TikTok: @impetusfootball
Instagram: @impetusfootball
impetusfootball.org 