On Friday night, 3ZZZ was present to broadcast the big semi final match between old rivals South Melbourne and Oakleigh Cannons at a packed Lakeside Stadium.

In the 14th minute Marcus Schroen put South Melbourne in the lead with a goal from a scramble in the box.

(audio of goal)

In the 74th minute the South Melbourne defence finally broke down and Oakleigh replied with a goal after relentlessly attacking the South goal for most of the second half to make it 1-1.

(audio of goal)

More drama was to come as Marcus Schroen popped up yet again to score an absolute cracker from outside the box in the last minute of injury time to put South Melbourne back in front.

(audio of goal)

With that scintillating goal in the very last minute of the match, South Melbourne booked their place in the grand final with 2 goals from their outstanding Number 10 Marcus Schroen. 

(audio)

On Saturday evening, ladder leaders Avondale also booked their place into the grand final with a 1-0 win against Melbourne Knights.

For the NPLW, the first semi final was played on Saturday afternoon between Bulleen and Calder United. Bulleen defeated Calder 2-1 to make it to the grand final.

On Saturday night, it was Boroondara versus South Melbourne. South Melbourne made sure it would be a men’s and women’s appearance for the club as they defeated Boroondara 2-1.

The NPLW Grand Final will be played between Bulleen Lions and South Melbourne, this Saturday at 7:30pm at The Home of the Matildas Main Pitch in Bundoora.

The NPL Men’s Grand Final is on this Sunday the 10th at 3pm, between Avondale FC and South Melbourne, at Olympic Village in Heidelberg.

Good luck to all the teams playing in all the Grand Finals over the weekend. I’m Rebecca Maakasa, we hope to see you again next week. Bye for now!