Northcote City has stormed into the VPL Grand Final and sent out a stern warning to opponent Bentleigh following a comprehensive 5-0 whitewash of South Melbourne at JL Murphy Reserve on Sunday afternoon.

A defeat to Bentleigh last week made this game an undesirable reality for Goran Lozanovski’s men as they sought to extend their impressive head-to-head record against South Melbourne.

The pressure was well and truly on the minor premier as it missed the services of Dean Piemonte, while James Kalifatidis replaced Michael Catalano in the starting 11.

South Melbourne’s incredible second half of the season under coach Chris Taylor gave it the confidence that it could trip up its more fancied opponent as it had done in its previous two finals.

Its record of having not conceded a goal in the finals series was wiped away after five minutes when Marinos Gasparis’ well-directed free kick was met by last week’s goalscorer Kalifatidis, who headed home to the immense delight of the Northcote City fans.

The home side’s advantage was doubled on the half hour in less than usual circumstances.

Gasparis’ innovative bicycle kick sent Peter Gavalas scrambling back onto his line. South’s custodian seemed to have the save covered under some pressure from Milos Lujic, but referee Peter Green signalled a goal as Gavalas fought desperately to keep the ball out unsuccessfully.

Northcote struck what seemed to be the killer blow against the run of play when Kalifatidis broke free following a splitting through ball at the beginning of the second period.

His shot was initially saved but the league’s leading goal scorer Lujic was there to pounce and prod home the third.

Things went from bad to worse with an hour having elapsed as ‘keeper Chris Theodoridis’ punt was misread by South’s defence, the ball bouncing over the top to Kounavelis who made no mistake stroking the ball home with a side-footed shot from close range.

Lujic once again demonstrated his mercilessness after an exquisite one-two with Gasparis. The former trapped the ball and drilled it into the back of the net setting off a chorus of raucous cheers.

The early goal was nothing less than the ideal start for Northcote in a half where its ruthlessness in front of goal trumped South’s spurning of numerous chances.

Luke Hopper’s cut-back from the by-line found Trent Rixon in a wonderful position, who could not direct his header on target.

Holmes almost struck back immediately with a fierce shot after Northcote’s second, finding an inch of space inside the area and drilling his shot on goal, but Theodoridis flung himself low to his right and palmed the ball away as

Taylor’s side peppered Northcote’s goal in the latter stages of the first half.

South Melbourne began the second half as it ended the first, looking to hassle its opponents with a high intensity pressing game, but again was unlocked at the back as its insipidness in front of goal cost it.

To South Melbourne’s credit, it failed to relent, continuing to attack at every opportunity as a scuffle ensued in the final minutes. The damage had long been done though as Northcote waltzed into the grand final.

Winning coach Goran Lozanovski said netting the opener so quickly was a crucial factor in cementing the win.

“After the last couple of weeks, we tried to get an early goal and have been working on that,” Lozanovski said.

“Overall, the game wasn’t technical, it was very physical throughout the whole 90 minutes and I think we competed well over the 90 minutes and at the end of the day we scored five goals today so it was very, very rewarding.”

South Melbourne boss Chris Taylor bemoaned his side’s poor start but was pleased overall with its achievements this season.

“I thought a few things went against us in the first half and after the third goal, that was it,” Taylor said.

“We just weren’t at the races today. They probably wanted it a bit more as the season meant a lot more to them.”

Northcote now faces Bentleigh in the VPL Grand Final at AAMI Park on Saturday afternoon at 1pm.