Last Wednesday night, the senior women’s teams from Heidelberg United and South Melbourne secured their places in the Nike FC Cup Final, just days after their senior men’s compatriots won their way through to the 2025 Dockerty Cup Final.
Remarkably, this is a first in Victoria’s two premier knockout competitions - Never before has the Cup decider featured the same two clubs in both matches.
We shouldn't really be surprised that it is Heidelberg and South Melbourne to achieve this feat for the first time, given they are two of the strongest clubs in the country with two of the longest running women's senior programs in Victoria.
Were South Melbourne to hoist the Dockerty Cup next month it would be the first time in over 40-years that we have celebrated back-to-back winners. It would also be the Club's record 10th Dockerty Cup Final win.
A Nike FC Cup Final win would be Hellas' first knockout tournament win since 2003 and would snap a run of four appearances all ending in defeat.
Heidelberg on the other hand are on the cusp of both their second Dockerty Cup Final win and second women's knockout tournament win and both programs come into Cup Final Weekend as favourites, given their form across all competitions so far this year.
What it sets up is an incredible spectacle for the football community in Victoria. Two iconic Victorian clubs vying for silverware across the same weekend.
The Dockerty Cup Final will be held on Saturday August 9 and the Nike Cup Final will play out the next day, with both matches kicking off at 4pm at The Home of The Matildas.
Both matches will also feature curtain raisers - the Cecil Earley Plate before the Dockerty Cup and the Steph Catley Plate before the Nike FC Cup. The two plates will be awarded to the best performing State League sides throughout the Dockerty Cup and Nike FC Cup competitions.
Whittlesea Ranges will take on Mill Park in the Cecil Earley Plate Final while Manningham Blues and Caroline Springs George Cross will battle it out for the Steph Catley Plate.
Four massive games across two days celebrating senior men and women's football in Victoria.
Football Victoria Interim CEO Dan Birrell spoke of the brilliant weekend of football ahead.
“Cup Final weekend in Victoria is always a fantastic time for the sport in the state, and this year we have a chance to witness history.
“And for the first time, this year we are excited to celebrate the best of our State League clubs, making it a true celebration of senior football across multiple levels.
“Because of the unique situation we find ourselves in, with two clubs playing in both pinnacle events, we are excited to offer ticketing packages for the entire weekend and look forward to seeing a big crowd cheering these clubs on."
“I’d like to congratulate all six of the clubs who will be competing for the silverware on the weekend and look forward to welcoming the football community to The Home of The Matildas next month. And I'd like to thank our partners at Nike for their on-going support of women's football and the Nike FC Cup."
Tickets for Cup weekend are on sale now.
Cup Finals Weekend Ticket Package
All four matches will also be streamed, live and free, on the Football Victoria YouTube channel.
Match Details
Nike FC Cup Final
- Sunday, August 10
- The Home of the Matildas, Sports Dr, Bundoora VIC 3083
- Gates Open 12:00PM
- Steph Catley Plate - Kick-Off: 1:00PM
- Nike FC Cup Final - Kick-Off 4:00PM
Dockerty Cup Final
- Saturday, August 9
- The Home of the Matildas, Sports Dr, Bundoora VIC 3083
- Gates Open 12:00PM
- Cecil Earley Plate - Kick-Off: 1:00PM
- Dockerty Cup Final - Kick-Off 4:00PM