Avondale completed a remarkable comeback Championship victory to round out season 2026, defeating Box Hill United 2-1 on a warm and windy afternoon at The Home of The Matildas.
Avondale made history, becoming the first club to claim both the NPLW and NPLM Championships on the same weekend in a monumental weekend for the Avengers.
The Avengers completed a historic rise from the VPLW just 12 months ago to becoming NPLW Victoria Champions in 2026, becoming the first club since Calder United in 2016 to win the Championship in their inaugural season in the league.
Both teams looked to settle into the contest early, with the opening stages evenly contested. But before long, Maho Murakami opened the scoring in the seventh minute with an outrageous Olympico from the corner.
The opening goal sparked a flurry of chances for Avondale, with Aideen Keane going close to creating an equaliser in the 15th minute with a dangerous cross towards Hannah Wilkinson, but the Avondale striker was unable to get on the end of it.
Just minutes later, Keane showed her creativity again in the final third, setting up a chance for Elise Kellond-Knight, but her effort sailed over the crossbar.
Box Hill United began to regain control as the match approached the half-hour mark, with Erin Keyt creating an opening for Kiara Bercelli.
Bercelli got a shot away, but Avondale’s Brooke Bennett was there to produce a superb block and keep the score at 1-0.
The Grand Final brought together some of the best talent in Victorian football, with A-League experience on both sides of the pitch. Late in the first half, Sofia Sakalis showed her class with a brilliant piece of skill to beat her Avondale opponent and create space down the flank.
As the first half neared its end, Aideen Keane combined with Hannah Wilkinson once again, with the pair looking increasingly dangerous in attack.
The duo continued to threaten the Box Hill goal but were unable to find the final touch needed to level the scores before the break.
Avondale came out of the second half with the momentum, testing the Box Hill defence with a series of shots on target.
Their pressure finally paid off in the 63rd minute, with Sloane Young finding the back of the net to bring the Avengers level.
The Avengers then took the lead in the 75th minute through Aideen Keane, who found the back of the net to complete Avondale’s comeback.
Both teams continued to tussle for possession as the game reached its crescendo, with Box Hill United pushing forward in search of a late winner. With only minutes remaining, Sofia Sakalis combined with Sydney Minarik before finding Kiara Bercelli, who delivered a cross into the box.
The ball appeared to strike the arm of an Avondale player, but the referee waved away the appeals, with Box Hill unable to find another chance to complete the comeback.
Referee Angelique Mangion blew the final whistle to bring the Grand Final to a close, with Avondale making history by claiming the 2026 Senol NPLW Victoria Championship in their first season in the competition.
Aideen Keane was named the Hazel Donovan Medallist as the Best Player of the 2026 Senol NPLW Victoria Grand Final following her match-winning performance.