Melbourne, Australia — Never before had an NPL side won the Australia Cup, but South Melbourne changed that in extraordinary fashion against Melbourne Victory on Saturday night.

Before the mouth-watering final – one more than 20 years in the making, South Melbourne captain Marco Jankovic told Football360 “we’re definitely not just an NPL club” and they proved it in more ways than one in front of a record crowd at AAMI Park.

NPL VIC and historic giants South Melbourne, who controlled the match for large parts, emerged from the jaws of defeat in front of a record crowd to conquer A-League powerhouse Victory 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw on an incredible night for Australian football.

South were down 1-0 with three minutes of extra time remaining before substitute Max Mikkola equalised amid wild celebrations to send the highly-anticipated final to penalties, with 29,911 fans watching on.

Then, former South star Harry Sawyer and Victory captain Jason Davidson – the son of Hellas legend Alan – failed to convert their penalties as the historic juggernaut won the Australia Cup.

Denis Genreau’s half-volley in extra time appeared to have snatched the decider against South Melbourne. There was a collective gasp around the stadium as VAR reviewed the goal. The substitute’s effort cannoned off the crossbar and over the line by mere centimetres, with standout goalkeeper Javi Lopez and his teammates left stunned.

But South huffed and puffed, and got their leveller in the 117th minute and they never looked back in the shootout even after goalkeeper Lopez had to twice deny former teammate Sawyer, who retook his penalty however he saw both spot-kicks kept out.

Lopez’s exploits, which also included an outrageous save to stop Santos from scoring with the goal at his mercy, saw him named the Mark Viduka Medallist.

Saturday night, though, was deeper than the 120 minutes of football, plus penalties. You only have to look at the crowd: 29,911. It shattered the AAMI Park record for a sporting attendance, even eclipsing the Melbourne Derby 2024-25 A-League Grand Final between Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City.

It was a jaw-dropping turnout for a match fans had been dreaming about for more than 20 years.

South – Oceania’s Team of the Century – were one of the defining clubs of the National Soccer League era, winning four championships before the NSL disappeared in 2004. They even graced the FIFA Club World Championship stage with one of their favourite sons – Ange Postecoglou – in charge in 2000. Victory arrived with the newly-formed A-League a year later and developed into one of the competition’s biggest clubs.

They have occupied different levels of Australian football but on Saturday night, the two teams from two different eras shared the pitch together for the first time in a competitive fixture.

There were vibes on the pitch, off the pitch and in the stands.

Before the game, South head coach Sinisa Cohadzic spent an hour and a half on the ground. He was deep in conversation with Melbourne Victory assistant Andrew Durante – it was a reunion between the pair, who worked together with the Philippines. There was also a moment when he took a moment to himself to soak in the occasion.

South Melbourne legend Fernando De Moraes was among the sold-out crowd which provided a sea of blue, with varying shades and deafening noise at both ends of AAMI Park. There was Melbourne Victory’s trademark ‘Stand By Me’ pre-game song, and chants of ‘Hellas, Hellas’ at the other end.

Iconic pair Paul Trimboli – the South Melbourne and NSL great – and Archie Thompson – the Melbourne Victory and A-League legend – walked out with the trophy to a cauldron of noise. Away from the cameras, Network 10 analyst Andy Harper swiftly ushered Trimboli to the Melbourne Victory bench, jokingly encouraging the former Socceroo to play in tonight’s final.

When the whistle blew, South Melbourne looked like they belonged at this level, immediately.

Inside the opening 15 minutes, the NPL VIC juggernaut had 60% possession. It also included two great chances to break the deadlock, including a sixth-minute corner that nearly caught out Jack Duncan.

South were on the front foot throughout the opening half. While they controlled the play, Victory’s head coach Giovanni Savarese was seen prowling the touchline, demanding his team press their opponents back.

On the one occasion they did heed his calls, it almost resulted in a goal. Santos also saw his shot brilliantly saved onto the post by South goalkeeper Javier Lopez in the 25th minute.

That was one rare bright spot for Victory in the first 25 minutes as Yuki Uchida and Co. continued to wreak havoc. Thomas Giannakopoulos also saw his header flash agonisingly wide of the post – a glorious chance that left his teammates with hands on their heads.

Jason Davidson – the son of South Melbourne legend Alan, and the captain of Melbourne Victory – came close to giving the four-time A-League champions the lead. It was a moment the veteran used to urge the crowd to make more noise.

There were flashes of brilliance as the second half wore on, with space opening up. From Guillermo May, to Bul Juach. Jordi Valodon also forced a fine diving save from Lopez.

Victory thought they had bagged the winner with 11 minutes remaining – May had broken forward in a two-v-one situation, with Santos his partner in crime. The Uruguayan recruit had squared the ball to an unmarked Santos, who had an open goal at his mercy. However, South shot-stopper Lopez somehow managed to thwart the Brazilian with his legs in an extraordinary moment.

That was only the start of the drama.

Genreau’s volley put Victory ahead five minutes into extra time, only for Mikkola to send the crowd into raptures with a 117th-minute equaliser.

In the shootout, Lopez saved Sawyer’s penalty only to be told he stepped off his line. It didn’t matter as the Spaniard thwarted the Victory forward again before Davidson blazed his attempt over the crossbar, sparking scenes of pure jubilation.