The 2024 season champions are the mighty Oakleigh Cannons. The historic team of the Greek community emerged victorious from a true football duel between the two best clubs of the championship. The only scorer for Chris Taylor’s team was the incredible Emlyn Wellsmore.
Wild celebrations ensued for the victory and the championship title from Oakleigh Cannons’ supporters.
The skillful attacking midfielder of the “Cannons” etched his name in the club’s rich history when, in the 72nd minute of the grand final, he coolly slotted home the only goal of the game, which proved more than enough to hand his team the championship trophy.
The game was not a showcase of quality football, with both teams visibly affected by nerves and the pressure to win, opting to avoid taking significant risks from the start.
As time passed, however, the Cannons began to assert more and more control over the match.
Chris Taylor’s players found their footing, circulated the ball with greater ease on the perfect pitch at Bundoora, and ultimately, after ninety minutes of intense battles and endless running, they left the field as triumphant champions.
Chris Taylor, the Coach of Great Success, General Manager Akis Ionas, and the Championship Trophy
The highly experienced Chris Taylor rightly lifts the cup, having built a strong, stable, and highly efficient team.
With a top-quality roster, he managed to overcome formidable opponents throughout the season, such as South Melbourne (Hellas), last year’s champions Avondale, the resurgent Heidelberg United (Alexander), and the tough Hume City.
On the other side, the passionate Esteban Quintas reached the grand final for the third consecutive time, but once again failed to secure the win.
The Argentine coach tried to introduce new elements to his team’s game this season and managed to keep them at the top of the standings throughout the regular season. Yet, his efforts fell short once again at the final hurdle.
His young squad seemed to lack the strength and experience to resist Taylor’s players, leaving Quintas, his players, and South Melbourne’s management to leave the Matildas’ home with their heads down.
Now, South Melbourne will attempt to regroup and focus on their last remaining goal for the year: progressing to the semi-finals of the Australia Cup, where they will face Hume City next Wednesday.
This will be a particularly difficult task, considering the psychological state of the Greek-Australian team’s players and coaching staff.
In the Cup’s top eight is also the newly crowned champion, Oakleigh Cannons, whose players will need to put their title celebrations aside and focus on their next opponent, the A-League giant Macarthur FC.
Who knows? Maybe the two great rivals will meet again on the pitch this year, this time battling for the prestigious Australia Cup.
