On a sunny Saturday, South Melbourne triumphed for a record-breaking 10th Dockerty Cup in front of a raucous crowd at The Home of The Matildas.
Despite being nine-time and defending winners, South entered the clash as underdogs, with Heidelberg sitting equal top of the NPLM table. But cup football is a different beast and South proved their pedigree, coming away 2-1 winners after the most dramatic of finishes.
South started brightly, dominating early possession, but it was Heidelberg’s Japanese playmaker Asahi Yokokawa who struck first inside five minutes, drilling a powerful effort into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
Chasing an equaliser, South looked dangerous through Jack Leech’s deliveries and Jack Painter-Andrews’ long-range efforts, but Heidelberg centre-back Ryan Lethlean was a wall in defence.
After the break, South came out firing. In the 47th minute, Campbell Dovison levelled from close range after a pinpoint Jordan Lampard cross; despite Heidelberg protests that the ball hadn’t crossed the line. Moments later, keeper Yaren Sözer kept his side level, tipping a dangerous South effort over the bar.
As the match wore on, Sebit Ngor and Bul Juach began causing problems for Heidelberg’s backline, while Fletcher Fulton also forced a save from South shot-stopper Javier Lopez.
The first booking came in the 56th minute when Mo Aidara remonstrated with the referee, and soon after Nahuel Bonada was cautioned for a shirt tug on Jamal Ali, who impressed on his return from injury.
Bonada almost put South ahead in the 63rd minute, breaking through on goal before Lethlean’s sharp defending deflected the shot high. In the 68th, Ngor again went close, while Jake Marshall showed strength to shield the ball for Lopez to claim.
The fierce duel between Ali and Bonada continued to ignite the flank, adding intensity to the match.
Heidelberg thought they’d retaken the lead in the 70th minute, but Aidara’s finish was ruled out for offside. Tensions flared across the pitch as players and coaches exchanged heated words.
Then came the moment of magic. With only seconds left of the allotted five minutes of extra time, Bonada produced a spirited run forward that sparked the crowd into life. A spilled save from Sozer fell into the path of Dovison, who slammed home his second of the match, sending South fans into raptures.
For his brace in the final, Campbell Dovison was awarded the Jimmy McKay Medal for the best player in the 2025 Dockerty Cup Final.
South Melbourne, winners of the 2025 Dockerty Cup, for a record tenth time.