Heidelberg United claimed the NPL Victoria championship with a hard-fought 2-1 win against Avondale FC at AAMI Park on Sunday.
The Bergers, already back to back premiers, are now the state champions of Victorian men’s football for the first time since 2001.
Goals to Adrian Zahra and Andrew Cartanos in the first half put Heidelberg in control before a Jonatan Germano tap-in set up a nervous finish.
But a sturdy effort from captain and centre back Luke Byles led a rearguard action as Heidelberg held Avondale out and claimed the trophy.
Centre forward Tom Cahill was awarded the Jimmy Rooney Medal as best afield, his performance included the defence-splitting pass that played through Adrian Zahra for the opening goal in the fifth minute.
Cartanos doubled Heidelberg’s advantage with a swerving long shot in the 41st.
Avondale, coached by Zoran Markovski with head coach Anthony Barbieri suspended, struggled to create chances in the first half but lifted in the second period. After one near miss midway through the second half, Germano would score from close range after knocking in Liam Boland’s header across goal.
But Heidelberg did not allow Avondale to repeat the drama of the semi-final round, holding off the comeback to claim the match in regulation time.
