Two traditional powerhouses of Australian football – South Melbourne and Marconi Stallions – will reignite a traditional rivalry on Saturday afternoon as they battle it out to become the inaugural Australian Championship winner at Olympic Village in Melbourne.
The A-League’s introduction in 2005 brought a close to the NSL, with clubs such as South Melbourne and Marconi relegated to their respective National Premier League state competitions.
This change to the Australian football pyramid saw these once famous football clubs lost to the national interest, until now.
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The Australian Championship’s introduction this season has enabled the cultural heartbeat of Australian football to be thrust into the limelight once again.
The Stallions and South Melbourne have a long-standing feud. Getty
South Melbourne, a club synonymous with success and names such as Ange Postecoglou, Frank Farina and Paul Wade all donning the famous blue and white.
A club which believes it belongs on the national stage now has an opportunity to be crowned the best NPL club in the country on Saturday.
South Melbourne won a tight semi-final affair over fellow Victorian club Heidelberg United 1-0 with Manny Aguek scoring the winning goal in front of over 5,000 fans at Lakeside Stadium.
South Melbourne coach Sinisa Cohadzic understands the enormity of the occasion on Saturday but believes his team has the right ingredients to bring more success to the club.
“It’s belief, it’s passion, it’s hard work and rewards are there,” Cohadzic emphasised after his team’s semi-final triumph.
Standing in South Melbourne’s way though is a Marconi team which will head down to Melbourne in a confident mood after edging past surprise packet Moreton City Excelsior 1-0, with Matej Busek grabbing the winner for the Stallions.
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South Melbourne fans celebrate a goal during the soccer match between South Melbourne and Marconi Stallions. Getty
Marconi, much like South Melbourne, carry a rich football history with names such as Mark Schwarzer, Paul Okon and Alex Brosque all representing the club at one point in their careers.
Marconi have had to overcome some nervous moments in making Saturday’s final, including a nail-biting penalty shoot-out win over Wests Apia FC in the quarter finals.
Marconi’s form though has improved throughout the competition with veteran captain Marko Jesic leading from the front as the Stallions head into their first national decider in 29 years.
Marconi chairman Robert Carniato has seen the positive impact of the Australian Championship on the club, including the ability to attract younger fans to the games.
South Melbourne and Stallions players scuffle during NSL second leg Finals Series. Getty
“Our supporters are basically elderly – or mums and dads because, obviously, we get a lot of our kids to come and watch the game,” he says.
“But we’re starting to get a lot more young people interested.”
Saturday’s final reads from a bygone era, with the cultural attachments of both clubs paraded on the national stage.
The Greek roots of South Melbourne will again clash with the Italian heritage of the Marconi Stallions as both clubs look to again shine a light on the significant stature of clubs that for too long have been hidden in the shadows of Australian football.
