At the Knights Stadium this Sunday afternoon, the State Knockout Cup final will see Green Gully Cavaliers try to win their fifth State Knockout Cup title, when they meet with defending champions, Dandenong Thunder.
Based on the current situation on the Victorian Premier League ladder and the form of grand finalists, the Cavaliers will enter the match as the favourites, sitting seven points ahead of the reigning champions.
If they win, it would be the first State Knockout Cup title for Green Gully, after 9 years. They last won the title in 2004.
Back to VPL, round 20 has brought unwanted losses for the end of the season, with the Greek-sponsored clubs Bentleigh Greens and Northcote City falling prey.
In a historical Melbourne derby, 87th in a row, Melbourne Knights carved out a 2-1 victory over South Melbourne in a home game. The victory helped the hosts stay within reach of the premiership, and just three points behind Northcote City. Next weekend, South Melbourne will enter round 21 as sixth on the ladder, taking on the leaders Northcote City.
The game will be decisive for both South Melbourne and Northcote City – will South Melbourne keep their position in the top-five and will the Hercules Boys crown the season of continual victories with the VPL title?
Melbourne Knights will travel to Hume City next weekend. Last Friday night, Hume City drew with Pascoe Vale (1-1). The tenth on the ladder Pascoe Vale will travel to Oakleigh in round 21.
The Cannons were the first team to be defeated on Richmond’s home ground this season, as they lost 2-3 to 11th placed Richmond last weekend, making their final chances non existent.
In round 21, Richmond will take on Southern Stars. Last weekend, the Stars were defeated in an away game at Green Gully Reserve, though it took the State Knockout Cup finalists 67 minutes to score the first goal.
The Cavaliers, who sit fifth on the ladder, still have a chance to make it to the finals this season. This weekend, however, they will be concentrating on the State Knockout Cup final with Dandenong Thunder, before they meet with third on the ladder Bentleigh Greens next weekend.
In what was a much-needed win for John Anastasiadis’ side, Bentleigh Greens managed a strong performance in their Greek derby to Port Melbourne Sharks (0-2) in round 20.
Northcote City last weekend earned an important three points at John Cain Memorial Park after their victory to Dandenong Thunder (2-1). However, with only two games remaining to the end of the season, the Hercules Boys will be treading carefully as Knights are following their every step.
They will take on South Melbourne next Saturday, while Dandenong Thunder host Port Melbourne in their next VPL match.
