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Adelaide City were staring at defeat. Then came a Grand Final comeback for the ages
By Sacha Pisani14 September 2026
Adelaide City completed a Premiership-Championship double in extraordinary fashion on Friday night, coming from two goals down to defeat WT Birkalla on penalties in the NPL SA Grand Final.
In a dramatic conclusion to the club’s 80th anniversary season, City trailed 2-0 before forcing extra time with a 92nd-minute equaliser and eventually prevailing 6-5 in a penalty shootout at ServiceFM Stadium.
Birkalla had threatened to spoil the Premiers’ night after taking a commanding first-half lead. Tzoi Tsarkani opened the scoring after 14 minutes before former A-League striker and Golden Boot winner George Blackwood doubled the advantage in the 37th, putting City’s hopes of a first Championship since 2022 in serious danger.
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City finally found a way back through Oliver Western in the 65th minute, setting up a frantic final quarter as the league’s best side searched for an equaliser.
With Birkalla closing in on the title, City’s pressure eventually told in stoppage time. An Alan Welsh own goal in the 92nd minute levelled the contest at 2-2 and sent the Grand Final into extra time.
Neither side could find a winner across the additional 30 minutes, leaving penalties to decide the Championship.
City goalkeeper John Hall emerged as the decisive figure.
Hall denied Blackwood during the shootout, although Birkalla goalkeeper Nick Harpas responded with a save of his own to extend the contest into sudden death.
It was Hall who ultimately settled it, producing the decisive stop as City prevailed 6-5 and completed a remarkable escape.
The victory secured Adelaide City their 20th Championship and first since 2022, adding another piece of silverware to a season in which they had already edged Birkalla to the NPL SA Premiership by a single point.
It also capped a significant year for one of Australian football’s historic clubs, with City celebrating their 80th anniversary and securing a place in the inaugural Australian Championship along the way.
