The 2025 Senol NPLW Grand Final Preview
Heidelberg United v Box Hill United
Venue: The Home of The Matildas, Bundoora
Date/Time: Saturday, September 13, 4:00pm
The biggest match of the NPLW calendar is just days away, and it promises to deliver a clash worthy of its history.
This is a rivalry decades in the making. From unforgettable Grand Final encounters in the mid 2000s to the present day, Heidelberg United and Box Hill United once again find themselves battling on the grandest stage.
The Bergers come in as reigning champions and 2025 Premiers, the clear benchmark for every club in Victoria. But their opponents arrive with irresistible form, Box Hill United are unbeaten in their last thirteen matches, including a 10-game winning streak that has made them the competition’s most dangerous outfit.
For Heidelberg, there is an added layer of emotion. Inspirational captain Steph Galea will hang up the boots after this week’s decider, giving the Bergers one more reason to fight for silverware in an already challenging season.
The last time these teams met, Box Hill stunned Heidelberg with a 2-0 triumph at Wembley Park. Now, on the biggest stage of all, the question remains: can Box Hill repeat the feat and claim a first top flight Championship since 2012, or will Heidelberg reinforce their dominance and go back-to-back for the first time in the club's history?
Head-to-Head Record
Played: 63
Heidelberg United: 18
Box Hill United: 35
Draws: 10
Last Time They Met
Friday July 25 2025, 7:30pm
Wembley Park, Box Hill
Box Hill United 2 (Rossi 12, Cox 44)
Heidelberg United 0
Referee: Thomas Rushton
Box Hill United: Teresa Morrissey, Josephine Aulicino, Olivia Ellis, Carina Rossi (Nikolina Bucalo 81), Rhianna Pollicina (Gabrielle Simpson 90+3), Katie Cox, Sofia Palywoda, Maho Murakami, Elwen Parbery, Georgia Karaparidis (Chloe McKenzie 29), Sofia Sakalis; Coach: Kogulan Sabaratnam; Cautions: Nil. Sent off: Morrissey 27.
Heidelberg United: Mia Bailey, Rosie Wild, Cameron Barreiro (Aeryn Tarrant 58), Sawa Matsuda, Sarah O'Donoghue, Bronte Peel (Isabella Trubiano 79), Maia Capitanio (Kathryn Vlahopoulos 65), Tamar Levin, Asuka Miyata, Molly Burke (Hannah Skotnica 79), Isabella Wallhead; Coach: Dennis Georgakopoulos; Cautions: O'Donoghue 84, Wild 90.
The Key Matchup: Who Stands Up?
This Grand Final is stacked with stars all over the pitch, but it will come down to who delivers when it matters most.
For Heidelberg United, 2025 Golden Boot winner Sawa Matsuda leads the line, backed by mid-season arrival Caitlin Karic, who has already struck three times in just a handful of appearances. Add in experienced captain Steph Galea, whose leadership and nous could prove crucial whether starting or coming off the bench, and the Bergers have firepower to burn.
For Box Hill, it’s been a remarkable run led by skipper Rhianna Pollicina who has five goals in 10 matches, including a stunning free kick in last week’s Semi-Final against Bulleen. Alongside her, midfield partner Sofia Sakalis pulls the strings and is always a threat. American recruit Josie Aulicino has been a revelation with 10 goals this season, while young striker Carina Rossi who scored the last time these sides met, adds even more bite in attack.
Whoever steps up on the biggest stage will decide the destination of the 2025 NPLW Championship.
Match commentators: Joey Lynch, Adriana Taranto & Hanh Solo.
The 2025 NPLW Grand Final will be broadcast live and free on the NPL Victoria YouTube Channel.